resolve the situation

Meaning

1. 1phrasetransitive

   to find a satisfactory way to deal with a problem or difficult situation so that it ends

   Grammar: The phrase acts as a verb with a fixed object; you can say 'resolve the situation' but not 'resolve to the situation'.

   Patterns

   • resolve the situation
   • resolve a dispute
   • resolve the problem

   The manager called a meeting to resolve the situation before it got worse.

   Both sides agreed to talk and resolve the situation peacefully.

   It took weeks of negotiation to resolve the situation.

Common combinations

resolve the situation peacefully

They hoped to resolve the situation peacefully through dialogue.

resolve the situation quickly

The new policy helped resolve the situation quickly.

try to resolve the situation

We are trying to resolve the situation with the landlord.

resolve the situation to everyone's satisfaction

The mediator managed to resolve the situation to everyone's satisfaction.

Synonyms and how they differ

settle

Often used for ending an argument or disagreement formally; 'resolve the situation' is broader and can refer to any problem.

sort out

Informal British; means to deal with a problem successfully, but is less formal than 'resolve the situation'.

fix

More informal and often suggests a quick repair; 'resolve' implies a more thorough solution.

Opposites

Word family

resolution noun

The act of solving a problem or a formal decision.

resolute adjective

Determined and firm in purpose.

Commonly confused: resolve the situation or solve?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “resolve the situation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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