Hash out
The word we’re going to concentrate on today is “hash out.” Earlier, you heard that the leaders of North and South Korea hashed out an agreement to officially end the war between their two countries.
To hash out means to discuss, talk about, negotiate, or work through something. The two sides hashed out an agreement; that means, they got together, talked about the situation, and worked together to form the agreement. They hashed it out by negotiating, by discussing, talking, and working together to find a solution.
This is a strange phrasal verb since “hash” is an uncommon verb to begin with. But hash out is most common when you’re referring to two people with differences of opinion or disagreements coming together to find a solution. Have you ever had a co-worker that you just don’t get along with? Your boss might tell you that both of you need to sit down and hash out your differences—meaning talk and discuss until you find a way to resolve your differences.
I’m in a tough situation right now that needs a solution. Here in the United States, when you own a single apartment, or a condominium, all the owners in the building have to get together as volunteers and manage the common areas of the building. Well, in my building two of the owners are furious with each other. I mean, they really have a big disagreement. And the rest of us have to help those two people hash out their problems. We need to help them talk through their problems and somehow find a way to live with one another. It’s not going to be easy, but if these two people can hash out their issues, then I bet North and South Korea can hash out theirs!
Thanks again to all of you for listening and being part of Plain English. If you’d like to connect with the program on Facebook or Twitter, the show’s user name is PlainEnglishPod. JR, the producer, and I both like getting notes from people all around the world like Kathmandu —it really provides us with the motivation we need to continue Plain English and hopefully expand the podcast in the future. Remember that the next episode will be on Monday. Our topic will be the 80th anniversary of Superman. Make sure you get that episode by clicking “follow” in Spotify or “subscribe” if you’re listening in Apple Podcasts. See you then
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