settle down

phrasal verb

settled down; settling down; settles down
1
: to become quiet, calm, or orderly
Settle down, children.
When things settle down here, I'll come for a visit.
2
: to begin to live a quiet and steady life by getting a regular job, getting married, etc.
They swore they would never settle down and get married.
3
: to put oneself into a comfortable position
He settled down for the night.
4
: to become quiet and begin giving one's attention to something
They quickly settled down to their work.

Examples of settle down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Goaltender Drew Commesso didn’t get the chance to settle down as the Capitals rang three first-period goals on the 23-year-old. Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026 Eventually the tables settled down, as applause rippled across the room at the announcement of each of the 10 film and TV winners and their clips. Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 9 Jan. 2026 The actor, a native of Uvalde, Texas, embraced a rather nomadic lifestyle early in his career, spending much of his time residing in a mobile home until settling down with homes in the Hollywood Hills and a mansion in Malibu. Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 2026 In the years since, Mother Nature had done anything but settle down. Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for settle down

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Settle down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/settle%20down. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on settle down

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!