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nut out

B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To think hard about something until you find the answer or a plan.

Literal meaning: To crack a nut open — implying extracting something difficult from inside.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To find a solution to a problem by thinking carefully or discussing it.

"Let's meet tomorrow and nut out the details of the contract."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To plan or work through something complex until a workable agreement or result is reached.

"The two teams spent the afternoon nutting out a compromise that both sides could accept."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Chiefly Australian and British informal. Common in business and planning contexts ('nut out the details'). Less common in American English.

Commonly used with

details plan solution problem agreement deal

Forms

Base
nut out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
nuts out
he/she/it
Past simple
nuted out
yesterday
Past participle
nuted out
have + pp
-ing form
nuting out
continuous

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