to settle

Examples

• All

• The chance to settle an old score.

  Franklyn (2008)

• Maybe he wants us to settle the score.

  Now and Then (1995)

• I came to this hospital to settle an old score.

  Tootsie (1982)

• - Yeah, we got business all right, and when this is over you and me will settle the score.

  His Stretch of Texas Ground (2021)

• Tonight, I'll settle the score.

  Fiction book (2001)

• So, on the night that he went to the Olympic to settle an old score you tracked him there.

  The Black Dahlia (2006)

• This is not the time or place, but I've got a big score to settle with you, my friend.

  Hot Shots! (1991)

• Lesher and I have our own little score to settle.

  School for Scoundrels (2006)

• I've got a major score to settle.

  Evolution (2001)

• After years of feuding, he finally decided it was time to settle the score with his rival.

Synonyms

G

to get back

vsto settle

• Informal

129 4.2

Do something to hurt someone because they hurt you

covers that same response but emphasizes past injury rather than immediate reaction

A

to avenge

vsto settle

106 4.9

Punish someone who hurt you or someone you care about

is the personal act of revenge without stressing justice or rightness

G

to get back at

vsto settle

• Informal

94 5.6

To do something to hurt someone because they hurt you

is the broader act of revenge rather than this informal personal action

R

to retaliate

vsto settle

82 7.3

To hurt someone because they hurt you

is the general idea of taking revenge rather than only direct strikes

G

to get even

vsto settle

• Informal

80 5.4

To do something to hurt someone because they hurt you

focuses on getting personal payback rather than restoring formal balance

F

to fix

vsto settle

• Informal

48 8.2

To get revenge on someone for something they did

is the general idea of retaliation rather than this informal punitive act

S

to strike back

vsto settle

38 4.9

To fight back after someone attacks or hurts you

is the general notion of revenge rather than an immediate physical counterattack

R

to revenge

vsto settle

16 4.2

To harm someone because they hurt you or someone you care about

is about seeking payback for a wrong rather than lawful punishment

S

to settle a score

vsto settle

• Offensive

4 6.2

To get revenge for something someone did to you

is the simple act of revenge rather than resolving wider disputes

S

to settle someone's hash

vsto settle

• Slang

1 9.3

To punish or defeat someone to stop their harmful actions

is revenge focused on payback rather than broad decisive handling

P

to pay off

vsto settle

• Informal

1 5.1

Take revenge on someone for a wrong

refers broadly to taking revenge rather than this specific punishment action

P

to pay off old scores

vsto settle

• Informal

1 8.2

To get revenge or settle a past wrong

names the general act of revenge rather than only past grievance focus

Antonyms

F

to forgive

∞ 1.4

To stop feeling angry at someone or yourself for a mistake

P

to pardon

275 3.0

To forgive someone for a small mistake or rude act

Idioms

S

to settle a score

• Offensive

4 6.2

To get revenge for something someone did to you

S

to settle someone's hash

• Slang

1 9.3

To punish or defeat someone to stop their harmful actions

S

stay hungry and never settle

8.8

To keep wanting more and trying to improve without accepting being average

Phrasal Verbs

S

to settle for

193 3.6

Accept less than you wanted or hoped for

S

to settle down

166 2.5

To become quiet and calm after being excited

S

to settle in

165 3.3

To start to feel comfortable and at home in a new place or job

S

to settle down

147 3.0

To start living a quiet, steady life by having a regular job or a family

S

to settle on

74 3.1

To fix your eyes or attention on one thing

S

to settle into

63 3.3

Become comfortable in a new place, job, or routine

S

to settle with

35 4.1

To reach an agreement with someone to end a dispute

S

to settle for less

19 4.5

To accept something worse than what you want or deserve

S

to settle down

• Specialized

5 3.1

To come to rest on a surface, like dust or snow

S

to settle upon

1 3.9

To pick one thing after thinking about the choices

S

to settle a disagreement

1 3.1

Make people or groups agree after an argument

G

to grow up and settle down

1 3.4

Become an adult and start a steady life with a job or family

How Vengeful

to settle

• Offensive

9 8.6

to retaliate

82 7.3

to get even

• Informal

80 5.4

to forgive

∞ 1.4

to overlook

205 2.9

Surface Forms

Etymology