Settle a score Meaning in English
expression
ˈsɛtəɫ/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈskɔɹ
SET-luh SKOR
sˈɛtəl/ /æɪ/ /skˈɔː
SET-uhl SKAW
Definition
To take action to get even with someone or to punish them for something they did to you in the past.
Usage & Nuances
Usually informal and used about revenge or payback (not financial debts). Commonly used in stories, movies, and sports when someone wants retribution. Do not use for settling normal disagreements or actual invoices.
Spanish: ajustar cuentasPortuguese (BR): acertar contas - ajustar contasPortuguese (PT): acertar contas - ajustar contasChinese (Simplified): 报仇 - 算账Chinese (Traditional): 報仇 - 算帳Hindi: बदला चुकता करनाArabic: تصفية الحساباتBengali: হিসাব চুকানো - প্রতিশোধ নেওয়াRussian: свести счёты - отомститьJapanese: けじめをつける - 仕返しをするVietnamese: rửa hận - trả thùKorean: 원한을 갚다 - 보복하다Turkish: hesaplaşmak - intikam almakUrdu: بدلہ چکانا - حساب چکاناIndonesian: membalas dendam - menyelesaikan urusan
Example Sentences
He wanted to settle a score with his old rival.
basic
The hero returned to settle a score with the villain.
basic
They finally had a chance to settle a score on the court.
basic
It's been years, but he still wants to settle a score from high school.
natural
She used the tournament as a chance to settle a score with her opponent.
natural
After all that happened, he wasn't just competing—he came to settle a score.
natural