1 B1 idiomatic informal
To become calmer after being angry, excited, or agitated.
"Give him a few minutes to simmer down before you try to talk to him."
inseparable
simmer down
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
To become calmer and less angry or excited after a period of heightened emotion.
In plain English
To slowly stop being so angry or worked up.
What does "simmer down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
Used as a command to tell someone to stop being so loud, angry, or excited.
"'Simmer down, everyone!' the teacher said as the classroom erupted in noise."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
In cooking, to simmer means a gentle boil — 'simmer down' means to go from a full boil to a calmer, lower heat.
Actually means
To slowly stop being so angry or worked up.
Usage tip
Often used as a command: 'Simmer down!' Suggests that emotions were running very high and are now reducing, like a boiling liquid being turned to a simmer. Slightly old-fashioned but still current. More common in American English. Used colloquially among friends and family.
Words that pair with "simmer down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
anger crowd temper excitement tension emotions
How to conjugate "simmer down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
simmer down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
simmers down
he/she/it
Past simple
simmered down
yesterday
Past participle
simmered down
have + pp
-ing form
simmering down
continuous
Hear "simmer down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "simmer down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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