Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

settle-for

phrase
ˈsɛt.əl fɔːr
Definition
To accept something that is less than what one originally wanted or desired.
Examples
  • After searching for weeks, I had to settle for a smaller apartment than I hoped for.
  • She didn’t want to settle for second best when choosing a college.
  • He was hoping for a promotion, but in the end, he settled for a salary raise instead.
Meaning
Settle-for indicates a compromise, where a person chooses an option that is not ideal or fully satisfactory but is deemed acceptable under the circumstances.
Synonyms
  • compromise
  • accept
  • resign oneself to
  • give in to
  • take what one can get