English Reference
Idiom idiom

settle for


To accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

I do not want to settle for a cheap phone.

CONTEXTUAL

The apartment was small and expensive, but we decided to settle for it because we needed a place immediately.

COMPLEX

Rather than compromising his artistic vision, he refused to settle for a commercial deal that would force him to change his original work.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    dust settles

    A heated, angry, or confused atmosphere calms down.

  2. 02

    settle a score

    To even the score.

  3. 03

    settle in

    To get comfortable or established, as in a new place.

  4. 04

    settle into

    To become comfortable with a place or routine.

  5. 05

    settle one's account

    To return what one owes; to make good on one's debts; to pay back.

  6. 06

    settle someone's hash

    To physically or verbally subdue someone.

  7. 07

    settle upon

    Synonym of settle on.

  8. 08

    settle with

    To get revenge on (someone); to resolve a grudge with (someone).

Last updated August 10, 2026