Cool MateCalm down vs Settle down please
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Calm down
Top 1,000 (very common)
Settle down please
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Calm down
| Calm down | Settle down please | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kɑːm daʊn//🇺🇸 //kɑm daʊn// | 🇬🇧 //ˈsɛt.əl daʊn pliːz//🇺🇸 //ˈsɛt.əl daʊn pliz// |
| Meaning | To relax or stop being upset. | Calm down and be quiet or serious. |
| Example | You need to calm down before we continue this discussion. | The teacher asked the students to settle down please before starting the lesson. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | calm down the situation, calm down emotions, calm down quickly | settle down together, settle down with a book, settle down for the night |
| Antonyms | agitate, excite, disturb | - |
| 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. | Using it in formal situations where silence is expected., Confusing it with 'settle' when referring to arrangements. |
| 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. | Used in informal settings, often when there's noise. Not appropriate for formal events. |
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Frequently asked questions: Calm down vs Settle down please
What's the difference between Calm down and Settle down please?
Calm down: To relax or stop being upset. Settle down please: Calm down and be quiet or serious.
Which is more common: Calm down and Settle down please?
Calm down is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Calm down: You need to calm down before we continue this discussion. Settle down please: The teacher asked the students to settle down please before starting the lesson.
Can I use Calm down and Settle down please interchangeably?
Not always. Calm down and Settle down please 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.