settle down

verb

1. (also tr) to make or become quiet and orderly

2. (often foll by to) to apply oneself diligently

   please settle down to work

3. to adopt an orderly and routine way of life, take up a permanent post, etc, esp after marriage

Idioms and Phrases

Begin living a stable, orderly life; also, marry. For example, After traveling all over the world for years, he decided to settle down in his home town , or Her parents wished she would settle down and raise a family . [Early 1600s]

Become calm, less nervous, or less restless, as in Come on, children, it's time to settle down . [Mid-1800s]

Apply oneself seriously, as in If you don't settle down to your homework, you'll never get it done . [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Dreyer eventually settled down, retiring the side, but the three pitchers needed 59 pitches — and 30 minutes — to get through the inning.

From Los Angeles Times

By that time, the somewhat chaotic nature of the meet-and-greet’s afternoon heights had settled down.

From Los Angeles Times

She married the dying William Mason during the series and later settled down with Andrew Parker, a footman in the house who has now taken over for Mr. Carson.

From Los Angeles Times

In an indirect way, her closet was a factor in her decision to settle down in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

Kershaw, meanwhile, settled down to get through five innings without any more damage, retiring 13 of his final 15 batters to put the Dodgers in position for a come-from-behind win.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bloom 
• blossom 
• develop 
• evolve 
• grow 
• grow up 
• mellow 
• mushroom 
• ripen