settle (redirected from settled)

Charge it to the dust and let the rain settle it.

Rur. Do not expect to be paid for this. (A humorous answer to a question like, "Who is going to pay for this?") Tom: Who's going to pay me all that money you owe? Mary: Charge it to the dust and let the rain settle it!

See also: and, charge, dust, let, rain

have a score to settle (with someone)

Fig. to have a problem to clear up with someone; to have to get even with someone about something. I have a score to settle with John since he insulted me at our party. John and I have a score to settle.

See also: have, score

settle (something) (out of court)

to end a disagreement and reach an agreement without having to go through trial in a court of justice. The plaintiff and defendant decided to settle before the trial. Mary and Sue settled out of court before the trial.

settle someone's affairs

to deal with one's business matters; to manage the business affairs of someone who can't. When my uncle died, I had to settle his affairs. I have to settle my affairs before going to Mexico for a year.

See also: affair

settle someone's hash

Sl. to calm someone down, perhaps by threats or by violence. If he comes in here, I'll settle his hash. Now, that ought to settle your hash.

See also: hash

settle a score with someone and settle the score (with someone)

Fig. to clear up a problem with someone; to get even with someone. John wants to settle a score with his neighbor. Tom, it's time you and I settled the score.

See also: score

settle down 

1. to calm down. Now, children, it's time to settle down and start class. If you don't settle down, I'll send you all home.

2. to settle into a stable way of life; to get married and settle into a stable way of life. Tom, don't you think it's about time you settled down and stopped all of this running around? Bill and Ann decided to settle down and start a family.

settle for something

to agree to accept something (even though something else would be better). We wanted a redone, but settled for a blue one. \I\Ask your grocer for Wilson's canned corn—the best corn in cans. Don't settle for less.

settle in

to become accustomed to one's new surroundings; to get used to living in a place or a new dwelling. I need a little time to settle in, then I can think about buying a car.

settle on something

to decide on something. We've discussed the merits of all of them, and we've settled on this one. I can't settle on one or the other, so I'll buy both.

settle up with someone

to pay someone what one owes; to pay one one's share of something. I must settle up with Jim for the bike I bought for him. Bob paid the whole restaurant bill and we all settled up with him later.

See also: up

when the dust settles 

1. Lit. when the dust falls out of the air. When the dust settles, we will have to begin sweeping it up.

2. . Fig. when things have calmed down. When the dust settles, we can start patching up all the hurt feelings.

See also: dust

---

settle a score

to harm someone who has harmed you in the past (often + with ) Police believe the killer was a gang member settling a score with a rival gang.

See also: score

the dust settles

if the dust settles after an argument, a problem, or an event which has caused a lot of changes, the situation becomes calmer We decided to let the dust settle before trying to deal with any other problems. You'd better wait until the dust settles before you mention anything else.

See bite the dust, gather dust, see for dust, turn to dust

See also: dust

---

settle (somebody) down

to get someone to behave more calmly He was so upset that one of his brothers had to settle him down.

Usage notes: often used as an order: OK, class, settle down.

settle your stomach

to make your stomach feel less upset She found that a cup of tea usually settled her stomach.

See also: stomach

settle a score also settle old scores

to punish someone because they have done something to hurt you in the past Muhammad Ali was eager to settle a score with Joe Frazier. After losing the race for mayor four years ago, running again this year was partly a matter of settling old scores.

Usage notes: often used in the form have a score to settle: The family was mistreated, and they have a score to settle with the government.

Related vocabulary: get even (with somebody)

See also: score

settle down

to accept responsibilities and behave in a more regular way than you have in the past Larry met his wife in San Antonio, where they have settled down and started a family.

settle down to something

to give something all of your attention I settled down to read about the festival and what I could do there.

Usage notes: often said about a meal: After work, we all settle down to a home-cooked dinner.

settle for something

to agree to or accept something, although it is not exactly what you want Patients will have to settle for fewer tests because rising costs have made them too expensive.

settle in

to begin to feel comfortable in a new place When you start college, it takes a few weeks to settle in.

settle into something

to become comfortable in a new place or situation Catherine had settled into their booth and was reading her menu. We settle into a routine of early morning workouts followed by lectures. The space shuttle settled into a 184-mile-high orbit.

settle old scores See: settle a score

See also: old, score

settle on something also settle upon something

to make a decision or come to an agreement about something My parents finally settled on my punishment - I would use my summer wages to pay for the repairs. The two sides have not yet settled on a price.

when the dust settles

after an activity stops We always believed that when the dust settled, the court would rule in our favor.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form until the dust settles: You meet lots of people when you travel on business, and until the dust settles, you don't know what you've actually accomplished.

See also: dust