work out of

work (something) out of (something else)

To eliminate or remove something from something else through strenuous or repeated effort. I've been trying to work these wrinkles out of my suit, but they're really stubborn. I thought I was working this stain out of the carpet, but I think I just made it worse. He hired a masseuse to work the kink out of his neck.

See also: of, out, work

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

work something out of something

 and work something out

to manipulate something to get it out of something. You have to work the bubbles out of the paint before you use it. You have to stir the batter to work out the lumps.

See also: of, out, work

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.