Cool MateCalm down vs Chill out vs Relax
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Calm down
Top 1,000 (very common)
Chill out
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Relax
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Calm down | Chill out | Relax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kɑːm daʊn//🇺🇸 //kɑm daʊn// | 🇬🇧 //tʃɪl aʊt//🇺🇸 //tʃɪl aʊt// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈlæks/","/rɪˈlæksɪz/","/rɪˈlækst/","/rɪˈlæksɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈlæks/","/rɪˈlæksɪz/","/rɪˈlækst/","/rɪˈlæksɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To relax or stop being upset. | Calm down and relax. | To make yourself feel calm and not stressed. |
| Example | You need to calm down before we continue this discussion. | You need to chill out and stop worrying so much about the exam. | After a long day at work, I like to relax on the couch with a good book. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | ||
| Collocations | calm down the situation, calm down emotions, calm down quickly | chill out time, chill out period, chill out zone | completely, fully, totally, begin to, try to, learn to, against, into, on, lie back and relax, sit back and relax, relax and enjoy something/yourself, completely, fully, totally, begin to, try to, learn to, against, into, on, lie back and relax, sit back and relax, relax and enjoy something/yourself, completely, fully, totally, begin to, try to, learn to, against, into, on, lie back and relax, sit back and relax, relax and enjoy something/yourself |
| Antonyms | agitate, excite, disturb | - | stress, tense, worry |
| Common mistakes | 'Calm down' can be used for things instead of people, which is incorrect., Confusing 'calm down' with 'cool off', which has a slightly different meaning., Using 'calm down' too aggressively can make someone feel worse. | 'Chill out' is often confused with 'cool off', but the meanings can slightly differ., Some learners use 'chill out' in a serious context, which may sound inappropriate., Using 'chill out' as a command can come off as rude. | 'Relax' is sometimes confused with 'release' as if both mean the same thing., Learners may forget to use an object, saying just 'I relax' instead of 'I relax myself'., Some might use 'relax' inappropriately with a negative tone, which can sound confusing. |
| Usage notes | Use in situations where someone is anxious or angry. It’s neutral in tone, appropriate for friends, family, or colleagues, but can seem dismissive if not delivered carefully. | Use 'chill out' in casual conversations to suggest someone should relax. Avoid in formal contexts. | Use 'relax' when talking about making oneself calm. It's suitable for most contexts, but avoid using it in very formal occasions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Calm down vs Chill out vs Relax
What's the difference between Calm down, Chill out, and Relax?
Calm down: To relax or stop being upset. Chill out: Calm down and relax. Relax: To make yourself feel calm and not stressed.
Can you show an example of each?
Calm down: You need to calm down before we continue this discussion. Chill out: You need to chill out and stop worrying so much about the exam. Relax: After a long day at work, I like to relax on the couch with a good book.
Can I use Calm down, Chill out, and Relax interchangeably?
Not always. Calm down, Chill out, and Relax are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.