1 A2 neutral
To become calm, quiet, or less agitated, especially after excitement or restlessness.
"It took the children a long time to settle down after the birthday party."
inseparable
settle down
B1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To become calm, or to begin living a stable domestic life.
In plain English
To stop being noisy or restless and become calm, or to start living quietly in one place with a family.
What does "settle down" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To begin living a stable life in one place, typically by forming a long-term relationship, getting married, or having children.
"After years of travelling, he finally decided to settle down and buy a house."
inseparable
3 B1 neutral
To get comfortable in a place or situation and begin focusing on a task.
"She settled down with a cup of tea and started reading the report."
inseparable
4 B2 idiomatic neutral
For a situation or period to become stable and less troubled after a time of change or difficulty.
"The markets took a few weeks to settle down after the shock announcement."
inseparable
Usage tip
Very common in everyday English. The 'domestic life' sense often carries a cultural expectation of marriage and children. Widely used to quiet children ('settle down, class!'). Transitive use ('settle someone down') is also common.
Words that pair with "settle down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
class children relationship family area routine
How to conjugate "settle down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
settle down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
settles down
he/she/it
Past simple
settled down
yesterday
Past participle
settled down
have + pp
-ing form
settling down
continuous
Hear "settle down" in the wild
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Other ways to say "settle down"
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