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simmer down

 - 5 dictionary results

sim⋅mer

  [sim-er]
Use simmer down in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to cook or cook in a liquid at or just below the boiling point.
2. to make a gentle murmuring sound, as liquids cooking just below the boiling point.
3. to be in a state of subdued or restrained activity, development, excitement, anger, etc.: The town simmered with rumors.
–verb (used with object)
4. to keep (liquid) in a state approaching boiling.
5. to cook in a liquid that is kept at or just below the boiling point.
–noun
6. the state or process of simmering.
—Verb phrase
7. simmer down,
a. to reduce in volume by simmering.
b. Slang. to become calm or quiet, as from a state of anger or turmoil: We waited for the audience to simmer down.
Origin:
1645–55; alter. of earlier simper < ?

Related forms:
sim⋅mer⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
3. See boil 1 .
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To simmer down
sim·mer   (sĭm'ər)   
v.   sim·mered, sim·mer·ing, sim·mers

v.   intr.

  1. To be cooked gently or remain just at or below the boiling point.

    1. To be filled with pent-up emotion; seethe.

    2. To be in a state of gentle ferment: thoughts simmering in the back of her mind.

v.   tr.

  1. To cook (food) gently in a liquid just at or below the boiling point.

  2. To keep (a liquid) near or just below the boiling point. See Synonyms at boil1.

n.  The state or process of simmering.
Phrasal Verb(s):
simmer downTo become calm after excitement or anger.

[Alteration of Middle English simpire, to simmer, probably of imitative origin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
simmer (down)

  1. in.
    to reduce one's anger. : Simmer down, you guys.
  2. in.
    to get quiet. : I waited till things began to simmer down, and then I started.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

simmer 
1653, alteration of simperen "to simmer" (1477), possibly of imitative origin. Fig. sense, of feelings, "to be agitated" is from 1764. Opposite sense, in simmer down, first recorded 1871.
"I must and will keep shady and quiet till Bret Harte simmers down a little." [Mark Twain, letter, 1871]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

simmer down

Become calm after anger or excitement, as in Simmer down, Mary; I'm sure he'll make it up to you, or I haven't time to look at your report now, but I will when things have simmered down a bit. This idiom derives from simmer in the sense of "cook at low heat, below the boiling point." [Second half of 1800s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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