English Reference

Phrasal verb

settle with

Definition

phrasal verb. to pay someone the money you owe them or to reach an agreement to end a legal or financial problem.

phrasal verb. To pay a debt or resolve a dispute through a formal agreement. Transitive and inseparable; the object is typically the person or organization receiving payment or reaching the accord.

Examples

“I will settle with the waiter before we leave the restaurant.”

“The company decided to settle with the former employee to avoid a public and expensive court case.”

“Despite the complexity of the litigation, both parties eventually agreed to settle with one another for an undisclosed amount to mitigate further legal expenses.”

Examples

simple

“I will settle with the waiter before we leave the restaurant.”

contextual

“The company decided to settle with the former employee to avoid a public and expensive court case.”

complex

“Despite the complexity of the litigation, both parties eventually agreed to settle with one another for an undisclosed amount to mitigate further legal expenses.”

Usage

commonly used in legal and financial contexts to describe the final resolution of a debt or claim.

Teaching tip

distinguish from 'settle for', which implies accepting something less than ideal, whereas 'settle with' focuses on the act of payment or resolution.

Pitfall

I need to settle the landlord.

I need to settle with the landlord.

the preposition 'with' is necessary when the object is the person being paid; without it, the sentence is incomplete or incorrect.

Phrasal verb

Particles

with

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

settle + with + object

Synonyms

payresolvereconcilesquare up

Antonyms

disputeowe

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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