Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[susan_wu]

Hello,

There are two phrases:

"sort it out" & "deal it out"

What is the difference? How to use them, especially for use "sort it out"?

Thanks a lot.

[bud]

To sort something out is to try to make sense of something. It's usually something for which there are good but opposing arguments. For example, you might have a job offer where you would have to move to another section of the country. It offers more responsibilty and salary than you could have imagined at this point in your career. Yet if you accept the offer, you know you will miss your freinds and family, and even the things your present location offers. Still... the new location has a climate that you'd much prefer... Yeah, but you worked so hard to decorate your home just the way you wanted it...

Well, you need to take some time to sort it out so that you can make a good decision.

To deal it out could mean different things. Probably the one you want is "to give other people grief or remorse." Ex.: He's a hard man to work for beacause he really deals it out whenever anything goes wrong.

Hope that helps.

[advoca]

Bud has explained these two phrases very well. But may I add that an alternative to 'deal it out' is 'dish it out."

My teacher was strict. If he had to punish you he would really dish it out.

[susan_wu]

Thanks, bud,

You make me understand the phrase:"sort it out".

Thanks, advoca,

You make me understand the phrase:"deal it out" through "dish it out".

Sometimes I think that the OXFORD make me more confused.