settle up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "settle up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the act of paying off a debt or resolving financial obligations between parties. Example: "Before we leave the restaurant, let's settle up so we can split the bill evenly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's time to settle up.

Independent

Better settle up.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's the sign over the table where customers settle up.

The Washington Post

Just ring HMRC and settle up over the phone instead.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Patrons who settle up also are not reported.

The New York Times

"Usually months go by before we settle up".

The New York Times

"I had to settle up and settle down," he said.

The Guardian

A small-time bettor might have a settle-up number of $500; a big player might not settle up until he hits (or loses) $2,000 or more.

The New York Times - Sports

There are also candidates who have seemed to be in no hurry to settle up.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Settling up with the newspapers".

The Guardian

I'm glad they settled up".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "settle up" in informal contexts, remember that it implies a friendly or casual transaction. In more formal settings, consider alternatives like "finalize payment" or "discharge a debt".

Common error

Avoid using "settle up" in extremely formal legal or business documents. While grammatically correct, it can sound too casual. Opt for more precise terms like "remit payment" or "discharge financial obligations".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "settle up" is a phrasal verb. It signifies the action of paying a debt, balancing accounts, or resolving financial obligations. Ludwig examples show its frequent use in everyday financial transactions and agreements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "settle up" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrasal verb that means to pay what one owes. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression appears most frequently in News & Media. While "settle up" is suitable for many situations, in extremely formal documents, you should consider using alternatives such as "remit payment" or "discharge financial obligations".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finalize payment

Emphasizes the act of completing a transaction.

pay off

Focuses specifically on eliminating a debt completely.

clear the balance

Emphasizes reducing a financial account to zero.

square accounts

Highlights achieving a state of balanced financial records.

make amends

Adds a connotation of rectifying a wrong through payment or action.

foot the bill

Specifically refers to paying the total cost of something, especially for others.

discharge a debt

Formal and legalistic term for releasing one from a financial obligation.

balance the books

Deals more with the accounting aspect of ensuring credits and debits are equal.

reconcile accounts

Refers to matching different sets of financial records to ensure agreement.

liquidate obligations

Involves converting assets to cash in order to pay off debts.

FAQs

How can I use "settle up" in a sentence?

You can use "settle up" to mean paying what is owed. For example, "It's time to "settle up" after our dinner."

What are some alternatives to "settle up"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "pay off", "clear the balance", or "finalize payment" instead of "settle up".

Is "settle up" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "settle up" is generally more appropriate for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise terms like "remit payment" or "discharge financial obligations".

What's the difference between "settle up" and "pay off"?

"Settle up" is a more general term for resolving a debt or financial obligation, while "pay off" specifically implies eliminating the debt entirely.