To suss out somebody or something (or suss somebody or something out) is to:
- discover the truth about someone or something
- or to work out how something works
- or to find the solution to a problem.
Mainly informal/slang UK and Australian English.
suss (verb) – to uncover the truth about something or someone; to understand
In British English, work out is also used in the same way.
In American English, the equivalent is figure out.
Examples of use:
1. I’ve finally sussed out how my new camera works!
2. He just can’t suss her out. One minute she’s happy; the next minute she’s sad.
3. They haven’t sussed out where the water leak in their bathroom is coming from.
4. I’m going to take my car to the garage and see if they can suss out what the problem is with the brakes.
5. Have you sussed out how your new phone works?
6. I really like him, and I’m trying to suss out if he likes me too!
infinitive |
suss out |
present simple |
suss out and susses out |
-ing form |
sussing out |
past simple |
sussed out |
past participle |
sussed out |
Can you think of something or someone that was difficult to suss out?
Practise your English and write your own sentence using this phrasal verb. You can leave a comment here, or email me with your sentence
Image © Don Perucho