map out

To work out the steps of a plan or think carefully through a problem.

• Let’s map out our week.
• She mapped out a plan for opening her own shop.
• Have you mapped out how to deal with the problem?

How to use it: map something out (We mapped our next steps out together.)

Similar words: plan, work out

Common phrases: map out a plan, map out a strategy, map out something

To make a map showing the places and features of an area.

• They mapped out the island.
• We are mapping out the roads in this area.
• Have explorers mapped out the whole cave system?

How to use it: map something out (The team mapped the cave system out.)

Similar words: map, chart

Common phrases: map out something, map out an area, map out the coast

To describe or explain something clearly and in detail.

• The report maps out the problem clearly.
• Her lecture mapped out the links between poverty and health.
• This chapter maps out how the system works.

How to use it: map something out (The introduction maps the argument out clearly.)

Similar words: explain, set out, detail

Common phrases: map out the process, map out an argument, map out something