
Puzzle out
Complex problems
Use 'puzzle out' when referring to solving something that is not straightforward or has many parts.
It took me hours to puzzle out the assembly instructions for the new desk.
Mental effort
'Puzzle out' indicates you used careful thought or consideration to understand something.
She puzzled out the cryptic message left on her desk.
No direct clues
Use it when there are no clear answers and you have to deduce the solution yourself.
The detective had to puzzle out the suspect's motive with little evidence.
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