Figure out

Meaning

The idiom "figure out" means to understand or discover something by using reasoning or analysis. It can also mean to solve a problem or find information. Example sentence: She figured out the answer to the math question. Example sentence: After analyzing the data, they were able to figure out the root cause of the issue.

Usage

• I need to figure out how to fix this computer.
• The detective will figure out who committed the crime.
• They figured out a way to save money on their trip.
• She was confused and didn't know how to figure out the math problem.
• We need to figure out how to solve this problem before it becomes too big.

Roots and History

The idiom "figure out" has been used in English since the 16th century. The earliest known use of the idiom is found in a book written in 1580 called "The Dialogue Conteinyng the Nomber in Effect of All the Prouerbes in the Englishe Tongue." The phrase "figure out" was originally used to mean "to determine or discover by calculation." Over time, the idiom evolved to include reasoning and analysis as well.

Synonyms in English

• Determine
• Calculate
• Discover
• Unravel
• Sort out

Synonyms in other languages

• 找到 (Chinese) - To find or discover something.
• 解決 (Japanese) - To solve a problem.
• 仔細覚得 (Japanese) - To understand or figure out something through careful observation and analysis.
• 分析 (Spanish) - To analyze or break down something into its component parts to better understand it.
• 解決問題 (German) - To solve a problem or find a solution.

Similar Idioms

• take over

• after all

• take on