simmer down
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To slowly stop being so angry or worked up.
Literal meaning: In cooking, to simmer means a gentle boil — 'simmer down' means to go from a full boil to a calmer, lower heat.
Meanings
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."
Grammar: inseparable
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."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
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.
Commonly used with
anger crowd temper excitement tension emotions
Forms
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
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