Meaning & use
settled for less
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Meanings
phraseidiom
Accepted something worse or smaller than what you really wanted or deserved.
Grammar: Used as a verb phrase after a subject; the base form is 'settle for less'.
Patterns
- someone settled for less
- settle for less than something
- never settle for less
After months of job hunting, he settled for less and took a role below his old salary.
She knew the apartment was too small, but she settled for less because she needed to move quickly.
Don't settle for less than you are worth in a negotiation.
phraseidiom
Was satisfied with an amount or standard that is not the best possible.
Grammar: Often followed by 'than' to name the better thing that was given up.
Patterns
- settled for less than something
- settle for less than you deserve
The team settled for less than first place after losing the final match.
We settled for less than the full refund because the process was taking too long.
Common combinations
- settle for less
- She refused to settle for less and kept looking for a better offer.
- never settle for less
- His motto is simple: never settle for less than your best.
- settle for less than you deserve
- Accepting that low price means settling for less than you deserve.
- settled for second best
- They settled for second best when the top prize went to another school.
- end up settling for less
- If you apply too late, you may end up settling for less.
Synonyms and how they differ
- compromise
- Compromise means both sides give up something; 'settled for less' focuses on one person accepting a worse deal.
- make do
- Make do means managing with what you have, often without regret; 'settled for less' hints that something better was possible.
- accept
- Accept is neutral and general; 'settled for less' adds the idea of lowering your hopes.
Opposites
Word family
- settle verb
- To accept an arrangement or agree on something after discussion.
- settlement noun
- An official agreement that ends a disagreement.
- settler noun
- A person who moves to live in a new place.
Commonly confused: settled for less or settle down?
settled for less vs settle down
'Settle down' means to become calm or start living a steady life; 'settle for less' means accepting something inferior.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'settled for less' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Settled for less' means accepting something worse than you wanted, so taking a lower-paying job fits. The other options confuse it with 'settled' meaning to sit down, move to a place, or become comfortable.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “settled for less”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.