settled up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "settled up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a financial obligation has been resolved or that debts have been paid. Example: "After dinner, we settled up the bill and went our separate ways."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

I'm glad they settled up".

The New York Times - Sports

The August contract for light crude settled up 54 cents at $94.17.

The New York Times

Crude oil settled up 33 cents, at $76.86 a barrel, on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The New York Times

We settled up, and departed for the afternoon light of Times Square.

The New York Times - Sports

The December contract settled up 79 cents at $49.61 a barrel.

The New York Times

This presented an awkward moment: we had already settled up, but perhaps the server didn't know it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Better settle up.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's time to settle up.

Independent

Settling up with the newspapers".

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

Once a month, the carrier settles up with the government.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "settled up" in financial contexts, ensure the subject and object are clear to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify who settled up and what they settled up for.

Common error

Avoid using "settled up" when you mean to indicate a non-financial resolution. Use more appropriate terms like "resolved", "concluded", or "finished" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "settled up" functions primarily to indicate the completion of a financial transaction or the resolution of a debt. Ludwig AI provides examples where it is used to describe paying bills or clearing accounts, confirming its role in denoting financial closure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "settled up" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate the completion of a financial transaction or the resolution of a debt. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, primarily in news and media, with a neutral register. While broadly applicable, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying who settled up and what they settled up for, avoiding its misuse in non-financial resolutions. Alternatives like "paid off" or "cleared the debt" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. This summary underscores the phrase's utility and the importance of context in its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paid off

Focuses specifically on the act of paying a debt completely.

cleared the debt

Highlights the removal of the debt as a burden.

finalized the payment

Emphasizes the completion of the payment process.

resolved the matter

Broader term indicating the completion of a dispute or issue.

closed the account

Specific to closing an account after settling dues.

squared away

Informal term for getting things in order and finalized.

brought to a conclusion

Formal way of saying something has been ended.

discharged the obligation

Formal and legalistic way to indicate fulfillment of a duty.

made amends

Focuses on correcting a wrong or settling a dispute through compensatory action.

reached a resolution

Emphasizes the process of arriving at an agreement or settlement.

FAQs

How to use "settled up" in a sentence?

You can use "settled up" to indicate that a financial obligation has been resolved. For example, "We "paid the bill" and "settled up" with the restaurant after dinner."

What can I say instead of "settled up"?

You can use alternatives like "paid off", "cleared the debt", or "finalized the payment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "settled up" or "settled down"?

"Settled up" refers to resolving a financial obligation, while "settled down" means to become calm or to establish a stable lifestyle. They have different meanings and are used in different contexts.

What's the difference between "settled up" and "paid in full"?

"Settled up" implies a completion of a transaction or clearing a balance, while "paid in full" specifically highlights that the entire amount owed has been paid.