calm down

calm down

1. To relax or become less intense. Although this phrase can be applied to things or situations, it is often said as an imperative to one who is openly anxious, angry, or upset. I've been rocking the baby for hours, but I just can't get her to calm down and stop crying. Calm down—we'll be home before curfew. Work was chaotic during the merger, but things are finally calming down now.

2. To soothe someone or diffuse a tense situation. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "calm" and "down." I've been rocking the baby for hours, but I just can't seem to calm her down. The therapy dog really seems to calm down our patients. Ugh, I'm so stressed about work. I think I'll go for a run—that usually calms me down some.

See also: calm, down

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

calm someone (or an animal) down

to cause someone or an animal to be less active, upset, or unsettled. Please try to calm yourself down! Can you calm down your yapping dog?

See also: calm, down

calm down

to relax; to become less busy or active. Now, now, calm down. You look so nervous. Please calm down. Nothing bad is going to happen.

See also: calm, down

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

calm down

v.

1. To become less agitated, active, or unsettled: When the wind calmed down, we went outside to assess the storm's damage.

2. To cause someone or something to become less angry, active, or unsettled: The leader calmed down the angry mob by addressing their complaints. Listening to music before going to bed calms me down and helps me sleep.

See also: calm, down

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.