thresh out
An old-fashioned way of saying 'to thrash out' — to solve a problem by talking about it a lot. Also literally means to separate grain from a plant.
Meanings
(Agriculture, literal) To separate grain from the stalks by beating; to thresh.
"Farmers would thresh out the wheat by hand before mechanical threshers were invented."
(Figurative, archaic) To resolve or settle a problem or dispute through thorough discussion.
"The lawyers hoped to thresh out their differences before going to court."
The agricultural literal sense (separating grain using a flail) is the origin of both 'thresh out' and 'thrash out'. In the figurative sense, 'thresh out' is now rare and archaic; modern speakers use 'thrash out' instead. ESL learners are unlikely to need this form actively.
Commonly used with
Forms
Understand "thresh out" better
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "thresh out" on Looplines