settle
verb /ˈsetl/
/ˈsetl/
Verb Forms
Idioms Phrasal Verbs| present simple I / you / we / they settle | /ˈsetl/ /ˈsetl/ |
| he / she / it settles | /ˈsetlz/ /ˈsetlz/ |
| past simple settled | /ˈsetld/ /ˈsetld/ |
| past participle settled | /ˈsetld/ /ˈsetld/ |
| -ing form settling | /ˈsetlɪŋ/ /ˈsetlɪŋ/ |
- [transitive, intransitive] to put an end to an argument or a disagreement
- settle something to settle a dispute/a matter/an issue
- to settle a case/lawsuit/claim
- to settle an argument/a disagreement
- It's time you settled your differences with your father.
- I want this thing settled.
- There is pressure on the unions to settle.
- The company has agreed to settle out of court (= come to an agreement without going to court).
- Many cases are settled through negotiation.
- settle with somebody (for something) The corporation later settled with the singer for $1.5 million.
Extra ExamplesTopics Discussion and agreementb2- Hopes of settling the conflict peacefully are fading.
- Talks will be held in an attempt to settle the dispute.
- This argument must be settled once and for all.
- The matter has not yet been finally settled.
- I'm delighted that all this has been settled amicably.
- This is a matter that can only be settled by a family court.
- After six months the company finally settled with the unions.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- amicably
- peacefully
- eventually
- …
- attempt to
- try to
- agree to
- …
- for
- on
- with
- …
- an attempt to settle something
- [transitive, often passive] to decide or arrange something finally
- settle something It's all settled—we're leaving on the nine o'clock plane.
- Good, that's settled, then.
- Bob will be there? That settles it. I'm not coming.
- He had to settle his affairs (= arrange all his personal business) in Paris before he could return home.
- it is settled that… It's been settled that we leave on the nine o'clock plane.
- All the loose ends should be settled within 48 hours.
- [intransitive] + adv./prep. to make a place your permanent home
- She settled in Vienna after her father's death.
- She is an American who settled here a couple of years ago.
- The couple afterwards settled near Bournemouth.
- He has now settled permanently in London.
- He married and settled in a seaside cottage.
- His parents eventually settled in Paris.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- permanently
- eventually
- finally
- …
- decide to
- intend to
- be densely settled
- be sparsely settled
- be ready to settle down
- …
- [transitive, usually passive, intransitive] (of a group of people) to make your permanent home in a country or an area as colonists
- settle something This region was settled by the Dutch in the nineteenth century.
- a fertile area that was densely settled in early times
- settle + adv./prep. They settled on undeveloped land along the Mississippi.
- It was the worst drought since the British settled in Australia in 1788.
- Very few Maori were living in the area when the first Europeans settled there.
WordfinderTopics Social issuesb2- colonize
- discover
- explore
- pioneer
- reconnaissance
- scout
- settle
- terrain
- territory
- voyage
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- permanently
- eventually
- finally
- …
- decide to
- intend to
- be densely settled
- be sparsely settled
- be ready to settle down
- …
- [intransitive, transitive] to make yourself or somebody else comfortable in a new position
- settle (back) (+ adv./prep.) Ellie settled back in her seat.
- They prepared to settle in for the night (= make themselves comfortable for an evening at home).
- settle somebody/yourself (+ adv./prep.) He settled himself comfortably in his usual chair.
- I settled her on the sofa and put a blanket over her.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- comfortably
- happily
- peacefully
- …
- be unable to
- cannot
- allow somebody to
- …
- settle down to do something
- [transitive] settle something + adv./prep. to put something carefully in a position so that it does not move
- She settled the blanket around her knees.
- [intransitive, transitive] to become or make somebody/something become calm or relaxed
- The baby wouldn't settle.
- settle somebody/something I took a pill to help settle my nerves.
- This should settle your stomach.
Extra Examples- He was anxious and couldn't settle.
- Unable to settle, she trailed around the house all day.
- She kept fussing around, refusing to let him settle.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- comfortably
- happily
- peacefully
- …
- be unable to
- cannot
- allow somebody to
- …
- settle down to do something
- [intransitive] settle (on/over something) to fall from above and come to rest on something; to stay for some time on something
- Dust had settled on everything.
- Two birds settled on the fence.
- I don't think the snow will settle (= remain on the ground without melting).
- His gaze settled on her face.
- Slowly dusk began to settle.
- [intransitive, transitive] settle (something) to sink slowly down; to make something do this
- The contents of the package may have settled in transit.
- Don't drink it yet. Let the grounds settle.
- [transitive, intransitive] to pay the money that you owe
- settle something Please settle your bill before leaving the hotel.
- The insurance company is refusing to settle her claim.
- They used the last of the money to settle their debts.
- settle (up) (with somebody) Let me settle with you for the meal.
- I'll pay now—we can settle up later.
end argument
decide/arrange
choose permanent home
into comfortable position/state
come to rest
sink down
pay money
Word Originverb Old English setlan ‘to seat, place’, from the noun settle.
Idioms
let the dust settle | wait for the dust to settle
- to wait for a situation to become clear or certain
- He waited for the dust to settle after the election before making any new decisions.
settle a score/accounts (with somebody) | settle an old score
- to hurt or punish somebody who has harmed or cheated you in the past
- ‘Who would do such a thing?’ ‘Maybe someone with an old score to settle.’
- An embittered Charlotte is determined to settle accounts with Elizabeth.