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

"If I had that space to consider options and for things to settle down with friendships, I think it would be helpful," she said.

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The keen traveller and gym-goer said that while it can be difficult watching friends start to settle down, she doesn't let it affect her.

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For many years he struggled to find work and could not settle down.

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It was in this milieu that Grimes settled down to make her “California album.”

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In time, the waves settled down, and calm returned to the bay.

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Related Words

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