梳理 literally means 'to comb and arrange' — combining 梳 (shū), which refers to the action of combing hair, and 理 (lǐ), meaning 'to arrange', 'to regulate', or 'to manage'. Together, they form a metaphorical verb that describes the process of systematically organizing, clarifying, or sorting out something abstract — such as thoughts, information, procedures, or relationships. It implies careful, step-by-step attention to detail and structure.

This word is commonly used in formal, academic, or professional contexts — for example, when reviewing project plans, analyzing data, preparing reports, or reflecting on personal goals. While it originates from a physical grooming action, its modern usage is almost exclusively figurative. Learners should note that 梳理 is typically transitive and often followed by an object (e.g., 梳理思路, 梳理流程), and rarely appears in casual spoken Chinese without context.