Browse all

hash out

B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To talk about something in detail until everyone agrees or a decision is made.

Literal meaning: To chop something out — 'hash' originally meant to chop up food.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To discuss something in depth and in detail until a conclusion or agreement is reached.

"The two parties spent three days hashing out the terms of the contract."

"They're going to sit down and hash out the details of the peace agreement."

— Common usage in American political and news reporting (representative example)
Grammar: separable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To resolve disagreements or differences through open discussion.

"Let's get everyone in the room and hash out our differences before the project starts."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Primarily American English. Commonly used in business and political contexts. 'Hash' comes from the French 'hacher' (to chop), suggesting chopping a problem into pieces to deal with it. Almost always implies the discussion involves some disagreement that needs to be resolved.

Commonly used with

details deal agreement differences plan terms

Forms

Base
hash out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hashes out
he/she/it
Past simple
hashed out
yesterday
Past participle
hashed out
have + pp
-ing form
hashing out
continuous

Understand "hash out" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "hash out" on Looplines