iron out the wrinkles

iron out the wrinkles (of/in something)

1. Literally, to remove wrinkles from something, especially a piece of fabric, using a flatiron. Your new dress shirt is all rumpled! You'll need to iron out the wrinkles before you go to the ceremony this evening. I have to iron out the wrinkles in this tablecloth before our guests arrive.
2. By extension, to ease, solve, or remove minor difficulties, troubles, or problematic details (of or in something). (Sometimes worded as "some wrinkles," "a few wrinkles," etc.) Our latest software update is nearly finished—we just need to iron out a few wrinkles before it's ready for release. Your friends and family are great means of support when you need to iron out the wrinkles of your life. Bob and Janet are seeing a counselor to try and iron out the wrinkles in their marriage.
See also: iron, out, wrinkle
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

iron out the wrinkles

resolve all minor difficulties and snags.
Iron out has been in figurative use since the mid 19th century; it often occurs with other nouns, especially differences .
1984 New Yorker Willa had sold her story to Universal Pictures and was in California ironing out some wrinkles in the deal.
See also: iron, out, wrinkle
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • iron out the wrinkles (of/in something)
  • iron the wrinkles out (of/in something)
  • get the wrinkles out
  • get the wrinkles out (of something)
  • iron out
  • ironing
  • work (something) out of (something else)
  • work out of
  • work/do wonders/miracles
  • do wonders
References in periodicals archive
Well, it may take at least one series to iron out the wrinkles. Talking of which, this week she's joined by a man who loves nothing more than such crease-reducing shenanigans: Chris Eubank.
TV CHOICE
"We want to iron out the wrinkles now before we expand."
Improving in English, math and self-esteem
MIDLAND comic Frank Skinner has been secretly visiting a plastic surgeon in a bid to iron out the wrinkles in his face, it was reported last night.
SKINNER'S SECRET VISITS TO PLASTIC SURGEONS
Phi Delta Kappa (PDK), however, isn't even trying to iron out the wrinkles in its widely cited surveys of America's attitudes toward the public schools, Terry Moe's powerful Check the Facts shows that PDK, using the venerable Gallup label, routinely fixes its survey questions to get the answers it wants, at least on the issue of school vouchers.
Certifying the intangible: no one really knows what makes a good teacher. (From the Editors)
Currently recovering from a skin cancer operation, he has despatched some of his best men to try to iron out the wrinkles in the peace process.
Comment: Forever friend