settle down
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle down
Meanings
Become quiet and stable
Why “down”? Strong feelings or energy become lower and calmer.
“The kids finally settled down for the night.”
“The crowd settled down after the announcement.”
“Maya and Leo settled down in their seats after the train left the city.”
Begin a stable home or family life
“They married and settled down near Bristol.”
“After years of travel, he wants to settle down and start a family.”
Memory hook
Things come to rest and stay down — calm and stable.
Common mistake
They settled down a quiet town.
They settled down in a quiet town.
Use in before the place.
Natural collocations
The word partners “settle down” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Settle down means become quiet and stable. Settle up means pay what is owed, often after a meal.
Test yourself
“The kids finally settled down for the night.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
settle up
A contrast learners often mix up
Pay what is owed, often after a meal
calm down
Same down pattern: calming
Become or make less excited or angry
come down
Same down pattern: calming
Drop from a high level it has been at; Have been passed down from earlier generations; Decide in favour of one side after consideration; Become ill with a particular illness; (of rain, snow or hail) fall
cool down
Same down pattern: calming
Become or make less hot; Become calmer after anger or excitement; Do gentle exercise after a hard workout
die down
Same down pattern: calming
Feelings or excitement gradually become calmer; Become less strong, loud or active
get down
Same down pattern: calming
Descend or lower yourself; Depress someone emotionally; Capture in writing or recording; Swallow food, drink, or medicine, especially with difficulty; Begin to focus seriously on a task
quiet down
Same down pattern: calming
Become silent or peaceful
simmer down
Same down pattern: calming
Calm down from anger
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