FIGURE OUT

{v.} 1. To find an answer by thinking about (some problem or difficulty); solve. * /Tom couldn't figure out the last problem on the arithmetic test./ * /Sam couldn't figure out how to print a program until the teacher showed him how./ * /Mary couldn't figure out why her cake tasted so funny until she found salt mixed in the sugar bag./ Compare: FIND OUT(1). 2. To learn how to explain; understand. * /Laurence is an odd boy; I can't figure him out./ Compare: MAKE OUT(2).