Skip to main content
to settle upon

to settle upon

1 3.9
To pick one thing after thinking about the choices
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : decidirse por
  • Finding ourselves beyond that point in history where preservation seemed adequate, we are finding it difficult to discover and settle upon a new ecological paradigm for relating human activity to nature.
  • Finally, they settled upon

Examples

  • After much debate, the committee settled upon a date for the annual meeting.

  • More popularly recognized for his work with the charitable colony of Georgia, Oglethorpe dabbled in several other projects before settling upon that imperial enterprise.

    Academic text (2007)
  • After going over a lot of different options for the finish, I have settled upon tongue tongue oil.

  • I ultimately settled upon 20-25% of my portfolio; however, that wasn't the end of it.

    Blog text (14)
  • At a breaking point in my life, I started counseling and, with the help of a great dietician and an excellent primary care doctor, I settled upon a more reasonable way to control my weight.

    Blog text (16)
  • He finally settled upon the town of Augsburg, in the Alps near Zurich.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • With NCLB's goal of 100% proficiency by 2014 having crashed and burned, we've settled upon a grand new aim: President Obama wants us to be sure that every high school graduate is "college and career ready" by 2020.

    Blog text (25)
  • In the debates that shaped the original statute, Congress settled upon the judiciary to appoint and monitor the special prosecutor because it believed that the special three-judge panel could act as a wise and moderating influence in certain politically treacherous cases.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Since it was not possible to secure a bishop as author, we settled upon Jean Corbon, who wrote the beautiful concluding text on prayer while in beleaguered Beirut, frequently in the midst of dramatic situations, taking shelter in his basement in order to continue working during the bombardments.

    Blog text (28)
  • After discussing several options, we finally settled upon the new marketing strategy for the product.

Synonyms

to choose
vsto settle upon
1.0

Pick one thing or person from a group

often also implies reaching a mutual agreement not only a personal selection
to decide
vsto settle upon
1.0

To end a disagreement by choosing a final outcome

covers that final choice but also the act of agreeing with others
to determine
vsto settle upon
  • Formal
485 3.2

To officially decide a dispute or question

is broader, covering informal decisions and negotiated agreements as well
to conclude
vsto settle upon
428 3.1

To decide something after looking at the facts

covers that judgment but also stresses reaching shared terms
to make a decision
vsto settle upon
274 1.0

To choose what to do after thinking about the options

can mean that choice but also stresses agreement between people
to make up one's mind
vsto settle upon
102 3.2

Decide after thinking about the choices

is similar but may involve others reaching shared agreement
to resolve
vsto settle upon
81 3.4

To decide firmly to do something

can mean a firm choice but also refers to agreeing with others
to opt for
vsto settle upon
63 3.5

Choose one thing from several available

may involve picking but often implies formal or mutual settling
to reach an agreement
vsto settle upon
35 3.0

Decide together after talking about the terms

is similar but also applies to single-person choices as well
to come to a decision
vsto settle upon
18 2.7

Choose what to do after thinking about the choices

emphasizes personal or joint agreement rather than only final judgment
to come to a conclusion
vsto settle upon
13 3.0

To make a final decision after thinking

is like that judgment but often also means negotiating agreement
to reach a consensus
vsto settle upon
5 3.5

A group of people agree about something after discussion

is like group agreement but also covers individual decision making
to arrive at a decision
vsto settle upon
1 2.9

To choose what to do after thinking about the options

can include that choice but places more weight on mutual settling

Antonyms

1.0

Have a different opinion from someone

75 2.9

Not yet sure which option or side to choose

How Decisive

to recommit
4 4.3
to settle upon
1 3.9
to choose
1.0
to opt for
63 3.5

Surface Forms

settle upon infinitive
settled upon past participle
settling upon present participle
settles upon third person singular

Morphology

settle + upon

The verb 'settle' already conveys resolving or deciding and the preposition 'upon' marks the target of that decision, so 'settle upon' meaning 'decide on' is directly inferable from the constituents. This compositional pattern is common in English (settle on/upon + object) and would be clear to a B1 learner who knows both words.

Etymology

The phrasal verb settle upon comes from the simple image of something coming to rest on top of another thing, like dust or a bird that settles upon a branch or table. When people 'settle upon' a choice, the idea is that the decision has landed and now stays, so it means 'to decide' or 'agree' after thinking.