settle a score

verb

To even the score.

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Meanings

verbsettle a score (third-person singular simple present settles a score, present participle settling a score, simple past and past participle settled a score)

present singular third person settles a score · participle present settling a score · participle past settled a score · past settled a score

  1. idiomaticTo even the score.

    Arsenal also have a score to settle with Liverpool after losing 2-0 at home in the recent FA Cup third-round tie, when they had so many chances to score before almost inevitably falling victim to two late sucker-punches.

    2024 January 30, Phil McNulty, “Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal: Gunners in title race after they close gap to leaders Liverpool”, in BBC Sport

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
even the scorepay off old scores
Cite this entry
APA

settle a score. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/settle%20a%20score

MLA

“settle a score.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/settle%20a%20score. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “settle a score,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/settle%20a%20score.

Source: settle a score on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.