settled the bill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'settled the bill' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone paying a debt, a fee, or an expense. For example, "John had to work overtime to be able to settle the bill at the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He settled the bill with the owner.

The New Yorker

As we settled the bill, they sent chunks of homemade fudge.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They returned to their table and before I left the cafe I settled the bill for both tables.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead, after three hours, he told me that he normally charges for interviews but this time would waive his fee as long as The Independent settled the bill.

Independent

Not to the professional with a better sense of what is in the wind than most, who settled the bill and consigned it to Sotheby's Dec. 8 sale hoping it would be knocked down between $250,000 and $350,000.

The New York Times - Arts

It said it had settled the bill with a $700m payment.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

When the excitement had settled, the Bills did what would make any parent proud: They sat down and wrote a nice thank-you note to the Bengals before turning their attention to the first-round game against the Jaguars on Sunday (1 05 p.m. EST, CBS) in Jacksonville.

The Washington Post

I said I'd go settle the bill.

The New York Times

We finish off the champagne and settle the bill.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Of course we'd settle the bill later".

The Guardian - Books

Respect has to be earned, and you never settle the bill.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "settled the bill" in your writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what specific bill or financial obligation was paid. For example, "The company settled the bill with its suppliers" is clearer than "The company settled the bill."

Common error

Avoid using "settled the bill" when the context implies more than just paying an invoice. For instance, if you mean 'resolved a dispute', a more specific phrase would be more appropriate. This prevents misinterpretations and maintains clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "settled the bill" functions as a verb phrase indicating the completion of a payment or resolution of a debt. As Ludwig AI explains, it means someone paid a debt, fee, or expense. The examples show it used in contexts ranging from restaurants to large tax payments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "settled the bill" is a grammatically sound verb phrase signifying the completion of a financial transaction, primarily used to convey that a payment has been made to resolve a debt or expense. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and appropriate in written English. Its register is neutral, fitting for professional and news contexts, although it is not overly formal. Common alternatives include "paid the invoice" or "cleared the debt", each with subtle differences in emphasis. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, it is predominantly found in news and media sources. The correct usage involves ensuring clarity about the specific bill being settled to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paid the invoice

Focuses specifically on paying an invoice.

cleared the debt

Implies the removal of a debt obligation.

discharged the account

Suggests the formal closing or ending of an account.

satisfied the obligation

Emphasizes fulfilling a responsibility, specifically a payment.

took care of the tab

Informal way of saying someone paid a restaurant bill.

covered the expenses

Focuses on addressing costs or expenditures.

made the payment

A straightforward alternative that simply states the payment was made.

resolved the charges

Indicates a resolution or agreement on the amount to be paid.

honored the financial commitment

Highlights the integrity in fulfilling a financial promise.

liquidated the balance

Implies converting assets into cash to pay off a balance.

FAQs

How can I use "settled the bill" in a sentence?

You can use "settled the bill" to indicate that a debt or payment has been made. For example, "After the meal, they settled the bill with the waiter" or "The company settled the bill with its primary supplier".

What are some alternatives to "settled the bill"?

Alternatives include "paid the invoice", "cleared the debt", or "took care of the tab" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "settled on the bill" instead of "settled the bill"?

No, "settled on the bill" is not grammatically correct in this context. The correct phrase is "settled the bill", which means to pay or resolve the bill.

What is the difference between "settled the bill" and "paid off the bill"?

"Settled the bill" generally implies making a payment to resolve an immediate obligation, while "paid off the bill" usually refers to fully paying a debt that may have been accumulated over time.