the dust settles

phrase

—used to talk about what happens when things become clear or calm after a period of change or confusion

I'll call you as soon as the dust settles from the move.

When the dust settled and the votes were recounted, she had won the election.

You should let the dust settle before you make any big decisions.

Examples of the dust settles in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Organizations that have done the math, tested it and closed the readiness gap will be in a strong position to withstand the next attack, and more likely to still have customers, revenue and credibility when the dust settles. — Michael Wu, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

As the dust settles on the spring 2027 shows, the Vogue office is abuzz with excitement about the products that may, in just a few months’ time, land on shelves and racks near you. — Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

Once the dust settles, a conversation with someone older (perhaps a parent) might give some structure and direction to things. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 5 Oct. 2026

Retail analysts said more than half of the gain is driven by inflation, and when the dust settles, unit sales will paint a clearer picture. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for the dust settles

• decretals
• nonmetals
• kettles
• metals
• nettles
• petals