after/when the dust settles

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

after/when the ˈdust settles

when all the exciting events, changes, etc. are over: When the dust finally began to settle, certain facts about the President’s resignation started to emerge.

See also: after, dust, settle