To become less upset, angry, or excited, or to help someone else do so.
To stop feeling so angry or upset, or to help someone else feel less angry or upset.
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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
To help someone else become less upset or agitated.
"The teacher managed to calm down the anxious students before the exam."
For a situation or period of activity to become less intense or chaotic.
"The market will calm down once investors have more information."
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.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "calm down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.