straighten out

Deal with a problem or mistake so that things work properly again.

• We will straighten out the problem.
• The bank straightened out the mistake in my account.
• Can you help me straighten this mess out?

How to use it: straighten something out (We need to straighten the payment problem out.)

Similar words: sort out, fix, resolve

Common phrases: straighten out a problem, straighten something out

Make confusing facts or ideas clear and easy to understand.

• Let us straighten out the facts.
• She straightened out the confusion over our meeting time.
• Have you straightened out which files belong to each client?

How to use it: straighten out who/what/which… (We need to straighten out who is responsible.)

Similar words: clarify, clear up

Opposites: confuse

Common phrases: straighten out the facts, straighten out a misunderstanding

Make something less bent, twisted, or curved.

• Straighten out your legs.
• She straightened out the twisted ribbon before tying it.
• Can you straighten this wire out?

How to use it: straighten something out (I straightened the bent wire out.)

Similar words: straighten

Opposites: bend

Common phrases: straighten out something, straighten something out

Put things in their proper places so that a space or collection is neat and organized.

• Please straighten out your room.
• I straightened out the files while waiting for the call.
• We need to straighten this cupboard out before buying more food.

How to use it: straighten something out (She straightened her desk out before leaving.)

Similar words: tidy, organize, neaten

Common phrases: straighten out a room, straighten out your papers

Become correct or start behaving properly after a period of problems.

• Things will straighten out soon.
• His life straightened out after he found steady work.
• She finally straightened out and stopped getting into fights.

Similar words: improve, sort itself out

Common phrases: things straighten out, finally straighten out

Become a full member of a Mafia crime group through its official joining ceremony.

• He straightened out last year.
• The gangster hoped to straighten out after years of serving the family.
• Once he had straightened out, other members treated him differently.

Similar words: become a made man

Common phrases: finally straighten out, straighten out officially