Page 372 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

settle (something) (out of court)

setŁ something right and putŁ something right setŁ upon someone ort something to attack
to correct something;Łto alterŁaŁsituation sàmeone or something violently.Ł The
to make it more fair.Ł(Se also make some- dogs set upon the bear and chased it up a
thing good.) This is a very unfortunate tree. Bill set upon Tom and struck him
situØtion. I’ll ask the people responsible to hard in the face.
set this mØtter right. I’m sorry that wł
overcharged you. We’ll try to put it right. setŁ upŁ shłpŁ somłwherł to esðablish one’s
place of workŁsomewhere.Ł(Infàrmal.)
setŁ something straight Go to put something Mary set up shop in a small office build-
straight. ing on Oak Strłet. The police officer
said, “You can’t set up shop right here on
setŁ something to music to incorporate words the sidłwalk!”
into a piece of music; to write a piece of
musicŁto incorporate aŁset of words.Ł settleŁa scoreŁwithŁ someone and settleŁthe
The musician set my lyrics to music. The scoreŁ(withŁ someone) to clearŁup a pràb-
rock band set the połm to music. lemŁ with someone; to gt evenŁ with
sàmeone.Ł(Slang.ŁSee also have a score
setŁ theŁ byllŁ rolling Go to get the ball to settle (with someone).) John wants to
rollàng.
settle a score with his neighbor. Tom, it’s
setŁtheŁstageŁforŁ something to prepare for time you and I settled the score.
sàmething;Łto get allŁof the appropriate settleŁdłwn 1. to calmŁdown.Ł Now, chil-
thingsŁinŁplace forŁsomething.Ł(RefersŁto dren, it’s time to settle down and start
arrangingŁ the scenery, pràperties,Ł and class. If you don’t settle down, I’ll send
lightingŁforŁaŁtheaterŁproduction.) The you all home. 2. to settle into aŁsðable way
evłnts of the past włek have set the stage of life; to get marriedŁandŁsettle into a
for further negotiation with the other side. sðable wayŁof life.Ł Tom, don’t you think
Your commłnts set the stage for the next it’s about time you settled down and
step—which is the hard one.
stopped all of this running around? Bill
setŁtheŁtable to place plates,Łglasses,Łnap- and Ann decided to settle down and raise
kins,Ł etc.,Ł onŁ the table before aŁ meal. some children.
(The opposite of clear the table.) Jane, settleŁfłrŁ something to agree to accept some-
would you please set the table? I’m tired thingŁ(evenŁthough sàmethingŁelse would
of setting the table. Ask someone else to do be better).Ł We wanted a red one, but
it.
settled for a blue one. Ask your grocer
setŁtheŁwłrldŁon fire to do exciting things for Wiloon’s canned corn—the best corn in
that bringŁfame andŁglory. I’m not very cans. Doà’t settle for less!
ambtious. I doà’t want to set the world settleŁon something to decide on something.
oà firł. You don’t have to set the world We’ve discussed the merits of all of
on fire. Just do a good job.
them, and wł’ve settled on this one. I
setŁto do something Go to (all) set to do some- can’t settle on one or the other, so I’ll buy
thing. both.
setŁtongues (a)wagging to cause peopl settleŁ someone’ affairs to deal with on’s
to sðart gossiping.Ł The affair błtwłen businessŁmatters;Łto manage the business
the boss and her accountant set tongues affairsŁof sàmeone who can’t.Ł When
awagging. If you doà’t głt the lØwn my uncle died, I had to settle his affairs.
mowed soon, you will set tongues wagging I have to settle my affairs before going to
in the neighborhood. Mexico for a year.
setŁtype to arrange type forŁprinting, now settleŁ( something)Ł(outŁofŁcourt) to end a
usually on a càmputer. Have you fin- disagreement andŁ reach anŁ agreement
ished setting the type for page one yłt? without having to go through a court of
John sets type for a lving. jusðice.Ł The plaintiff and dłfłndant de-

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