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figure out

B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To think hard until you understand something or find the answer.

Literal meaning: To calculate or draw out a figure/number — historically related to arithmetic, now used broadly for any kind of problem-solving.

Meanings

1 B1 informal

To find the answer to a problem or mystery by thinking carefully.

"It took me an hour to figure out how to assemble the bookshelf."

""We need to figure out a way to change that.""

— Barack Obama, campaign speech, 2008
Grammar: separable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To understand someone's character, motives, or behaviour.

"I've worked with him for years but I still can't figure him out."

""I can't figure you out.""

— Maroon 5, 'This Love', 2004
Grammar: separable
3 B1 informal

To calculate a numerical amount or total.

"Can you figure out what we each owe for the bill?"

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Very common in everyday American English. The object can be placed between 'figure' and 'out' (figure it out) or after 'out' when it is a noun phrase (figure out the problem). Slightly more informal than 'work out' or 'determine'.

Commonly used with

problem answer way how reason solution

Forms

Base
figure out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
figures out
he/she/it
Past simple
figured out
yesterday
Past participle
figured out
have + pp
-ing form
figuring out
continuous

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