Phrasal verb
settle down
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
settle down
Past
settled down
Past participle
settled down
Definition
phrasal verb. to start living a quiet, stable life in one place, often by getting married or buying a house. It also means to become calm and quiet after being excited or noisy.
phrasal verb. to adopt a stable, routine-oriented lifestyle, often involving permanent residence or marriage. It also functions as an intransitive verb meaning to become calm, orderly, or composed.
Examples
“They want to settle down and start a family soon.”
“After years of traveling the world as a photographer, he finally decided to settle down in a small village in France.”
“The restless political climate began to settle down after the new administration implemented several key economic reforms aimed at stabilizing the currency.”
Examples
simple
“They want to settle down and start a family soon.”
contextual
“After years of traveling the world as a photographer, he finally decided to settle down in a small village in France.”
complex
“The restless political climate began to settle down after the new administration implemented several key economic reforms aimed at stabilizing the currency.”
Usage
This phrasal verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'settle for' to avoid confusion, and note that 'settle down' can describe both a long-term life choice and a short-term change in behavior.
Pitfall
After the party, the kids finally settled down themselves.
After the party, the kids finally settled down.
the verb is intransitive in this sense, so it does not require a reflexive pronoun like 'themselves'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
down
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
settle + down
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/settle-down