to simmer down
14
4.1
- phrasal verb
- /ˈsɪmər daʊn/
- Informal
- When tempers flared during the meeting, the manager urged everyone to simmer down so they could find a solution.
- let things simmer down
- just simmer down
- simmer down now
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Watch on YouTubeI know the accent is sexy, but just simmer down, Simmer down.
- I know the accent is sexy, but just simmer down, Simmer down.
- You're just talentless and everything fizzled away once, you know, shit simmered down a little bit.
Examples
-
Now, let's simmer down and get back to business.
-
If you'll simmer down long enough, I'll tell you.
-
Now, just simmer down, boy, back her on down.
-
Let things simmer down a little.
Fiction book (1990) -
All right, now, c'mon both of you simmer down.
-
Simmer down, boys, simmer down.
-
So, guys, simmer down.
-
Now, simmer down.
-
Caroline, Jacqueline, and Kathy all tell him to simmer down.
Blog text (8) -
"Why don't you simmer down, lieutenant?" suggested the red-haired girl equably, laying aside her ledger.
Fiction book (1997)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To feel less nervous and more calm
∞
1.0
Make a person or animal less upset
989
1.4
To become less angry, excited, or upset
729
2.8
To become calm and still after movement or excitement
166
2.5
To become quiet and calm after being excited
138
4.9
To relax and become calm after you feel upset
105
2.7
To become calmer, less angry, or less hot
86
3.4
To relax and become less nervous or tense
59
3.7
To make something less strong or strict
58
2.5
Feel less angry or excited
55
6.2
To calm down and stop being angry or excited
54
2.0
Make people or things less noisy and less active
43
3.4
Become relaxed and less tense after work or a stressful time
32
4.5
Act calm and relaxed to hide nervousness
24
5.6
To calm down and control your feelings
22
6.3
Become more relaxed and easygoing
19
4.0
To become gradually less strong or severe
4
8.6
Calm down and relax after feeling stressed or excited
3
4.6
Make someone or something less noisy and calmer
1
5.7
Make yourself calm again after being upset
1
3.4
Stay calm and control your feelings when things are hard
Antonyms
How Calm
17
4.7
166
2.5
- Informal
989
1.4
- Informal
14
4.1
105
2.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal verbs 'simmer' (gentle, low heat) and 'down' (to a lower level) together suggest a reduction in intensity, so a learner could plausibly infer a meaning like 'become less intense' for emotions. However, the emotional/metaphorical extension of 'simmer' from cooking to anger is not fully transparent to an average B1 learner without prior exposure, so the relation is partially but not wholly predictable.
Etymology
Simmer down comes from cooking. When a pot simmers it makes small bubbles and becomes calm as the heat goes down, so telling someone to simmer down means 'become calm' or 'stop being angry'.