- settle
- set|tleW2S2 [ˈsetl] v▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(end argument)¦2¦(decide)¦3¦(start living in a place)¦4¦(comfortable)¦5¦(quiet/calm)¦6¦(move down)¦7¦(pay money)¦8¦(organize business/money)¦9 settle a score/account10 somebody's eyes/gaze settles on somebody/something11¦(feeling/quality)¦12¦(expression)¦13¦(stomach)¦Phrasal verbssettle backsettle downsettle for somethingsettle insettle on/upon somebody/somethingsettle up▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[: Old English; Origin: setlan]1.) ¦(END ARGUMENT)¦ [I and T]to end an argument or solve a disagreementsettle a dispute/lawsuit/conflict/argument etc▪ Rodman met with Kreeger to try and settle the dispute over his contract.▪ We hope the factions will be able to settle their differences (=agree to stop arguing) by peaceful means.▪ Forensic tests should settle the question of whether Bates was actually present at the scene of the crime.settle with▪ She finally settled with her former employers for an undisclosed sum.▪ They might be willing to settle out of court (=come to an agreement without going to a court of law) .2.) ¦(DECIDE)¦ [T usually passive]to decide what you are going to do, especially so that you can make definite arrangements▪ Nothing's settled yet.▪ It's settled then. I'll go back to the States in June.▪ 'She's only 15.' ' That settles it! (=that is enough information for a definite decision to be made) We're not taking her with us!'3.) ¦(START LIVING IN A PLACE)¦a) [I,T usually passive]to go to a place where no people have lived permanently before and start to live there▪ This territory was settled in the mid-1850s by German immigrants.b) [I always + adverb/preposition]to go to live in a new place, and stay there for a long timesettle in▪ Many Jewish people settled in the Lower East Side.4.) ¦(COMFORTABLE)¦ [I,T always + adverb/preposition]to put yourself or someone else in a comfortable positionsettle yourself in/on etc sth▪ Donna did not dare settle herself too comfortably into her seat, in case she fell asleep.▪ The dog settled on the grass to enjoy its bone.▪ A nurse settled the old man into a chair.→settle back5.) ¦(QUIET/CALM)¦ also settle down [I and T]to become quiet and calm, or to make someone quiet and calm▪ When the children had settled, Miss Brown gave out the new reading books.▪ She breathed deeply to settle her nerves (=stop herself from feeling worried or frightened) .6.) ¦(MOVE DOWN)¦a) if dust, snow etc settles, it comes down and stays in one placesettle on▪ Snow settled on the roofs.b) if a bird, insect etc settles, it flies down and rests on somethingsettle on▪ A fly kept trying to settle on his face.c) if something such as a building or the ground settles, it sinks slowly to a lower level▪ The crack in the wall is caused by the ground settling.7.) ¦(PAY MONEY)¦ [T]to pay money that is owedsettle a bill/account/claim▪ I always settle my account in full each month.▪ These insurance companies take forever to settle a claim.settle with▪ He was able to settle with his creditors, and avoid going to jail.8.) ¦(ORGANIZE BUSINESS/MONEY)¦ [T]to deal with all the details of a business or of someone's money or property, so that nothing further needs to be done▪ When it is finally settled, the Marshall estate may be worth no more than $100,000.▪ After her husband's death, Jackie went to the city to settle his affairs .9.) settle a score/accountto do something to hurt or cause trouble for someone because they have harmed or offended you▪ Did he have any enemies - someone with an old score to settle ?10.) sb's eyes/gaze settles on sb/sth[i]written if your eyes settle on something or someone, you notice them and look at them for a period of time▪ Her gaze settled on a door, and she wondered what was on the other side of it.11.) ¦(FEELING/QUALITY)¦ [I always + adverb/preposition]written if a quality or feeling settles over a place or person, it begins and has a strong effectsettle over/on▪ An uneasy silence settled over the room.▪ Depression settled over her like a heavy black cloud.12.) ¦(EXPRESSION)¦ [I always + adverb/preposition]written if a particular expression settles on your face, it stays there▪ A disapproving frown settled on her face.13.) ¦(STOMACH)¦ [I and T]if your stomach settles, or if something settles it, it stops feeling uncomfortable or making you sick▪ Georgia had taken pills to settle her stomach, but she was still throwing up every hour.settle back phr vto lean back in a bed or chair, and relax and enjoy yourself▪ Vera settled back to enjoy the film.settle down phr v1.) settle (sb) downto become quiet and calm, or to make someone quiet and calm▪ Shh! Settle down please! Now turn to page 57.▪ When Kyle was a baby we used to take him for rides in the car to settle him down.2.) to start living a quiet and calm life in one place, especially when you get married▪ They'd like to see their daughter settle down, get married, and have kids.3.) to start giving all of your attention to a job or activitysettle down to▪ I sorted out my mail, then settled down to some serious work.4.) if a situation settles down, it becomes calmer and you are less busy or less worried▪ It's been really hectic here. When things settle down , I'll give you a call.settle for [settle for sth] phr vto accept something even though it is not the best, or not what you really want▪ They want $2500 for it, but they might settle for $2000.▪ She couldn't find any cola, so had to settle for orange juice.settle in phr vto begin to feel happy and relaxed in a new situation, home, job, or school▪ How's your new home? Are you settling in OK?▪ It takes a few months to settle into life at college.settle on/upon / [settle on/upon sb/sth] phr v1.) to decide or agree on something▪ They haven't settled on a name for the baby yet.2.) settle sth on sbBrE formal to make a formal arrangement to give money or property to someone▪ She settled a small yearly sum on each of her children.settle up phr vto pay what you owe on an account or bill▪ We settled up and checked out of the hotel.settle up with▪ I'll settle up with the bartender, then let's go.
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.
