Meaning trap
settle down
become calm
To become quiet, relaxed, or less active, especially after being excited or upset.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To become quiet, relaxed, or less active, especially after being excited or upset.
Another meaning of 'settle down' is 'start a stable life'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
After the teacher entered the room, the students quickly settled down.
When I feel stressed before an exam, I try to take deep breaths to help myself settle down.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The kids couldn't settle down themselves.
Say: The kids couldn't settle down.
Intransitive here — no reflexive object; you don't 'settle down yourself'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
Natural; 'compose yourselves and cease your excitement' is formal/theatrical.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
settle down
- settle down a bit
- quickly
- take a while to
- everyone
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- settle down (start a stable life) — Another meaning of 'settle down' is 'start a stable life'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.