straighten out meaning

straighten out as a verb

1. settle or put right
   • we need to iron out our disagreements

   Synonyms: iron out, put right

   Type of: better

2. extricate from entanglement
   • Can you disentangle the cord?

   Synonyms: disentangle, unsnarl

   Type of: order

   Kinds: tease, ravel

3. change for the better
   • The lazy student promised to reform
   • the habitual cheater finally saw the light

   Synonyms: reform, see the light

   Type of: better

4. make straight

   Synonyms: straighten

   Type of: change

   Kinds: untwist, unbend, extend, channelize, untwine, unweave, comb

5. make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear
   • Could you clarify these remarks?
   • Clear up the question of who is at fault

   Synonyms: clear, clear up, shed light on, crystallize, crystallise, crystalize, crystalise, sort out, enlighten, illuminate, elucidate

   Type of: clarify

6. put (things or places) in order
   • Tidy up your room!

   Synonyms: tidy, tidy up, clean up, neaten, straighten, square away

   Type of: order

   Kinds: make, houseclean

straighten out in a sentence

• I can't straighten out my back.
• The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf swing, improving his game.
• The accountant helped Matthew straighten out his tax returns and avoid penalties.
• Matthew had to straighten out the papers on his desk before he could begin working.
• The teacher helped Matthew straighten out his understanding of a difficult math concept.

How to pronounce straighten out

straighten out is pronounced /ˈstreɪtən aʊt/ in British English and /ˈstreɪtən aʊt/ in American English. It has 3 syllables.