settle for good

USAGE SUMMARY

"settle for good" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you agree to a resolution or compromise, or when someone agrees to stay somewhere or in a situation permanently. For example: "After a long discussion, we finally settled for good on a new plan for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Don't settle for good enough but don't demand perfection, either.

The Guardian

But the mind is sloppy and will settle for good enough.

The New York Times

"Movie marketing can't settle for good anymore — it has to be great," said Dennis Rice, a consultant who has held senior positions at Miramax and Disney, noting that he was not speaking specifically about Fox.

The New York Times

Newcastle – a once-proud club who stood for work ethic and grunt – have been mired in mediocrity for well over a decade, content to settle for good and never push for great.

The Guardian - Sport

He engineered the successful result of the 1975 referendum which was supposed to settle for good Britain's place in the European community; it was he who, by inviting West Germany's Social Democrat chancellor, Helmut Schmidt, to address a Labour party special conference on the issue swung Labour out of its long coolness on Europe to positive support.

The Guardian

Learn to settle for good enough.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

But, if used responsibly,  Affirm can empower consumers to stretch their dollar – so they don't have to settle for goods or experiences that they don't really want, but are the only thing they can immediately afford.

TechCrunch

Ones that need to be settled, for good, before we digress on to skin tones.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

San Francisco, where Milk finally settled for good in 1972, was not merely the nascent capital of gay America.

The Guardian - Film

After spending a few years in rural Wales, the couple settled for good in the village of Collioure in southern France.

The New York Times - Books

But Tishman Speyer, which manages the complex, does not plan to start renting any vacant apartments until the matter is settled for good.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context carefully. "Settle for good" can sometimes imply a lack of ambition or a willingness to accept less than the best. Ensure this connotation aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "settle for good" when you mean a temporary agreement or arrangement. This phrase emphasizes the finality and long-term nature of the settlement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "settle for good" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often indicating a final decision or acceptance of a compromise. It implies a sense of permanence, similar to the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "settle for good" is a phrase used to describe the act of permanently accepting a situation or compromise. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While not extremely common, its usage is consistent across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, consider the implied sense of finality and ensure it aligns with your intended meaning. If you need alternatives, consider options like "accept as adequate" or "come to terms with".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accept as adequate

This alternative focuses on the act of accepting something as being sufficient, which is similar to settling for something.

content oneself with

This phrase implies a sense of satisfaction with something, even if it's not ideal, which aligns with the idea of settling.

come to terms with

This alternative suggests a process of accepting a situation, often after some struggle or resistance.

make peace with

Similar to 'come to terms with', this phrase implies accepting a situation, often one that was initially undesirable.

agree to

This phrase suggests a formal acceptance of a compromise or resolution.

resign oneself to

This suggests a passive acceptance of something inevitable, often with a sense of disappointment.

acquiesce to

This implies reluctant acceptance without protest.

permanently reside

This alternative applies when 'settle' refers to living somewhere permanently.

establish residence

Similar to 'permanently reside', this refers specifically to settling in a location.

fix definitively

This alternative works if 'settle' refers to resolving something permanently.

FAQs

What does it mean to "settle for good"?

To "settle for good" means to accept a situation, agreement, or resolution permanently, implying that no further changes or disputes are expected.

Is "settling for good" always negative?

Not necessarily. While it can suggest accepting something less than ideal, it can also indicate a pragmatic and definitive resolution to a situation.

How can I use "settle for good" in a sentence?

You might say, "After years of searching, they finally "settled for good" in a small town in Italy", or "The terms of the agreement were "settled for good", preventing future disputes".

What are some alternatives to "settle for good"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "accept as adequate", "content oneself with", or "come to terms with".