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Grammar fix

thrash out

resolve by discussion

to discuss something in detail, often for a long time, in order to reach an agreement or find a solution, especially when there are disagreements or complex issues.

phrasal verbC1occasional

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • The management and staff spent hours thrashing out the details of the new contract.work
  • In situations where team members have different opinions, it's important to thrash out the issues together to reach a fair decision.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: thrash out something | thrash something out

WrongWe thrashed out about the budget.

RightWe thrashed out the budget.

'Thrash out' takes the object directly — no 'about'.

Patternthrash out something | thrash something out

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The committee debated the details at length to reach consensus.

Natural We need to thrash out the details.

'Thrash out' is the idiomatic verb for hammering something out through long discussion.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • thrash out + issue
    the detailsan agreementthe differencesa deal

Don't confuse it

'Thrash out' is stronger and more specific than 'discuss'—it implies working hard to resolve something, not just talking about it. It does not mean 'argue' in a hostile way, but rather to work together to find a solution.

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