score (redirected from settling a score)

know the score (informal)

to know all the important facts in a situation, especially the unpleasant ones. You know the score - no payment until after the article is published.

See also: know

settle a score

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

See also: settle

settle old scores

settle a score - to harm someone who has harmed you in the past. She used her farewell speech to settle some old scores with her opponents. (often + with)

See also: old, settle

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know the score

to know all the important facts in a situation. You know the score — no payments are made until after the article is published.

See also: know

score points

to do something that will make people like you. I don't think you'll score any points with your clients if you don't return their calls. Some reporters are so unpopular that politicians can score points by attacking them.

See also: point

settle a score

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. edited at settle & trf to score; too few cites for "settle the score" to bother with--SL, 9/02

get even (with someone)

See also: settle

settle old scoresSee: settle a score

See also: old, settle