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calm down

A2 neutral separable both
In simple words

To stop feeling so angry or upset, or to help someone else feel less angry or upset.

Meanings

1 A2 informal

To become less emotionally agitated, angry, or excited.

"After a few minutes of deep breathing, she finally calmed down."

"Calm down, dear, it's only a commercial."

— British TV advertisement for esure, featuring Michael Winner, c. 2002; later quoted satirically by UK Prime Minister David Cameron in Parliament, 2011
Grammar: inseparable
2 A2 neutral

To help someone else become less upset or agitated.

"The teacher managed to calm down the anxious students before the exam."

Grammar: separable
3 B1 neutral

For a situation or period of activity to become less intense or chaotic.

"The market will calm down once investors have more information."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Very common in everyday spoken English. When used as a direct imperative ('Calm down!'), it can sometimes make people feel dismissed or patronized. Used both reflexively and transitively.

Commonly used with

please immediately eventually situation nerves temper

Forms

Base
calm down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
calms down
he/she/it
Past simple
calmed down
yesterday
Past participle
calmed down
have + pp
-ing form
calming down
continuous

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