sort oneself out
B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To fix your own problems and get your life in order.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To organise your personal life, resolve your problems, or improve your circumstances.
"After losing his job, he took three months off to sort himself out before looking for work again."
Grammar: separable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
To recover emotionally or psychologically from a difficult period.
"She needed some time alone to sort herself out after the breakup."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
A reflexive use of 'sort out'. Very common in British English. Often used in advice or frustration ('You need to sort yourself out') or in statements about personal improvement ('I'm trying to sort myself out').
Commonly used with
life finances problems head career emotions
Forms
Base
sort oneself out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sorts oneself out
he/she/it
Past simple
sorted oneself out
yesterday
Past participle
sorted oneself out
have + pp
-ing form
sorting oneself out
continuous
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Synonyms
get one's act together pull oneself together get organised get one's life together sort out one's affairs
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