work the problem

work the problem

To work to address or solve a problem by trying many different solutions until one is successful. My favorite part about engineering is working the problem until we find an elegant solution. Don't just complain that it's broken. Work the problem!
See also: problem, work
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • band-aid solution
  • solution
  • ha
  • eureka moment
  • a-ha moment
  • trouble shared is a trouble halved
  • no probs
  • figure out the root of the problem
  • find the root of the problem
  • determine the root of the problem
References in periodicals archive
WHETHER you have a complaint about a payday lender or any other financial firm, the first step is to contact them directly to try and work the problem out.
"We didn't work the problem, because we didn't have to."
We don't think so, but because it most severely affects the short takeoff and landing, we believe it's prudent and right, and our responsibility, to work the problem," Secretary Roche said in his previous testimony.
In my Probability and Statistics course ("Calculators Throw Teachers a Curve," 11/1/99), the teacher always shows us how to work the problem without the calculator first.
And with more than 35 million office workers in the U.S., spending as much as six times the amount of hours indoors at work the problem afflicting Child-Support Enforcement Agency employees is of little surprise to Rodolitz.
Nahhas said that the demonstrators' cries should be loud in order to get things back on the correct track and have Lebanese parties gather around dialogue table to work the problems out and spare Lebanon the regional turmoil's impact.
I hope that as a result of this joint work the problems faced by the people of Kyrgyzstan will be overcome," President Medvedev said."Of course, a great deal remains to be done.
Our Joint Force Air Component Commander (General Walter E.) Buck Buchanan is engaged every day with his counterparts to try and figure out how to work the problems of our ground forces.