settle down well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'settle down well' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to describe a situation in which someone or something is adapting successfully to a new environment or situation. Example sentence: We moved house last week, and the children have settled down well in their new school.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

However the concepts in which they lodge themselves manage somehow, by rubbing off each other's corners, to settle down well enough together.

SEP

Finally, one German museum has forced the artist to settle down (well, in a sense): the Museum Weisbaden in Germany has put Seidel's new work, grapheme, on permanent display.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"He's really settled down well there and he's happy," Dick Johnston said.

The New York Times - Arts

The first letter is from 1967, when a 12-year-old Louise was starting at boarding school: "My dearest Lumpy, I hope you are settling down well and have not been moistening your pillow with hot tears.

The Guardian - Books

"The NDCs are working well and everybody should recognise that it's a new concept and will take some time to settle down, but it is settling down well.

BBC

Click here to view There are tensions at first, but basically Bella and the baby settle down pretty well with the extended Cullen clan, and with lupine quasi-uncle-guardian Jacob (Taylor Lautner) who has "imprinted" his soul on the child.

The Guardian - Film

But if an analytic feminist is articulating a socialist feminism, rather than an inclination toward some kind of socialism or other, then the facets of her position derived ultimately from Marx, from Quine, and from feminism need to be hammered out carefully in order to settle down together well.

SEP

In 1994, he yearned for a "range life" in which he "can settle down," knowing full well that he "can't settle down".

The New York Times - Arts

I put in a good day's work, unwind with a little Marx, and then settle down for some well-deserved rest.

The New York Times

Settle down with their well-balanced and sultry Old World Red blend - a Bordeaux style blend that we were asked to pair with fig preserve on blue cheese and baguette, or bacon jam on camembert, depending on the vintage.

Huffington Post

Once the authors settle down into their well-established expertise — the history and economics of the oil industry, they offer a great primer on the oil industry and its regulation (or lack thereof).

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's adaptation to a new environment (e.g., a new job or city), use "settle down well" to convey a sense of comfort and success in that new setting.

Common error

While "settle down well" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "integrate seamlessly" or "adapt successfully" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "settle down well" functions as an intransitive phrasal verb, primarily describing the successful adaptation or adjustment of a person or thing to a new situation or environment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and typical usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "settle down well" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrasal verb that conveys successful adaptation to a new environment. Ludwig AI validates this. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, it is also found in scientific discussions. While acceptable in most situations, more formal synonyms like "adapt successfully" may be preferable in professional writing. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize a comfortable and positive integration into a new setting. Common mistakes include overuse in highly formal content; consider more sophisticated alternatives in such instances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adapt successfully

Highlights the success of adapting, removing the nuance of gradual settling.

become well-adjusted

Shifts the focus to the state of being adjusted, rather than the process of settling.

adjust comfortably

Focuses on the ease and comfort of the adaptation process, removing the 'settling' aspect.

fit in harmoniously

Stresses the harmonious nature of fitting into a new environment, subtly different from just settling.

acclimate effectively

Highlights the effectiveness of acclimation, a slightly more formal tone.

integrate seamlessly

Emphasizes the smoothness of integration into a new environment, differing from the gradual connotation of "settle down".

get accustomed easily

Focuses on the ease of becoming accustomed, removing the nuance of 'settling'.

find one's feet quickly

Implies a rapid adaptation, contrasting with the more gradual implication of "settle down well".

establish oneself successfully

Emphasizes establishing a successful presence, a stronger and more active process than settling.

thrive in the environment

Suggests not just settling, but actively thriving in the new environment.

FAQs

What does it mean to "settle down well"?

To "settle down well" means to adapt and adjust successfully to a new environment, situation, or lifestyle. It implies becoming comfortable and integrated into the new setting.

How can I use "settle down well" in a sentence?

You might say, "After moving to the countryside, they "settled down well" and enjoyed the peaceful life."

Are there more formal alternatives to "settle down well"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include phrases like "adapt successfully", "integrate seamlessly", or "become well-adjusted".

Is "settle down well" grammatically correct?

Yes, "settle down well" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrasal verb in English to describe a successful adaptation to a new environment.