iron out the wrinkles (of/in something)

1. Literally, to remove wrinkles from something, especially a piece of fabric, using a flatiron. Your new dress shirt is all rumpled! You'll need to iron out the wrinkles before you go to the ceremony this evening. I have to iron out the wrinkles in this tablecloth before our guests arrive. I'm sure the hotel has an iron, but I hate having to iron out the wrinkles in my clothes on vacation.

2. By extension, to ease, solve, or remove minor difficulties, troubles, or problematic details (of or in something). (Sometimes worded as "some wrinkles," "a few wrinkles," etc.) Our latest software update is nearly finished—we just need to iron out a few wrinkles before it's ready for release. Your friends and family are great means of support when you need to iron out the wrinkles of your life. Bob and Janet are seeing a counselor to try and iron out the wrinkles in their marriage.

iron out the wrinkles

resolve all minor difficulties and snags.

Iron out has been in figurative use since the mid 19th century; it often occurs with other nouns, especially differences .

1984 New Yorker Willa had sold her story to Universal Pictures and was in California ironing out some wrinkles in the deal.