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
Unlike countries that offer a path to permanent residency through investment or long-term stays, Slovenia is not (yet) courting expats looking to settle down permanently.
—
Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Thompson said mother bears may expand their range while teaching cubs where to look for food while older, juvenile bears — those between the ages of 18 and 30 months — will leave their mother’s home range and travel in search of a new place to settle down.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
As a teenager, Jeff and his family moved once again, this time settling down in Florida.
—Alex Gurley, People.com, 29 June 2025
That means energy prices may be volatile until conditions settle down – even as summer vacations start in earnest and a massive heat wave grips the central and eastern parts of the country.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for settle down
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Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Thompson said mother bears may expand their range while teaching cubs where to look for food while older, juvenile bears — those between the ages of 18 and 30 months — will leave their mother’s home range and travel in search of a new place to settle down.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
As a teenager, Jeff and his family moved once again, this time settling down in Florida.
—Alex Gurley, People.com, 29 June 2025
That means energy prices may be volatile until conditions settle down – even as summer vacations start in earnest and a massive heat wave grips the central and eastern parts of the country.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for settle down
Cite this Entry
“Settle down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/settle%20down. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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