Definition

1. Verb (phrasal verb):
   • To become quiet or calm, especially after a state of agitation or excitement: To stop being angry, upset, or overly energetic and return to a calm state.
   • To relax or calm down: Used as an imperative to tell someone to stop being angry or to reduce their intensity.

Usage and Examples

• Verb:
  • The argument was getting too heated, so I told them both to cool it.
  • You need to cool it with the loud music; the neighbors are complaining.
  • He was getting really upset, so I suggested he go for a walk to cool it.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Imperative Use: Most commonly used as a direct command or strong suggestion.
  • Cool it! I can't hear myself think with all that noise.
  • The coach told the overly aggressive player to cool it on the field.
• Implies De-escalation: The phrase specifically suggests reducing the intensity of a situation, emotion, or behavior to prevent a negative outcome.

Variants and Related Words

• Cool off (phrasal verb): To become less angry or agitated. Often used interchangeably with "cool it."
  • Go for a run to cool off after that argument.
• Settle down (phrasal verb): To become calm, quiet, or orderly.
  • The class took a few minutes to settle down after the fire drill.

Synonyms

• Calm down: To become or make someone quiet and relaxed.
• Chill out (informal): To relax or calm down.
• Simmer down (informal): To become less agitated or excited.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Keep your cool: To remain calm and not become angry or upset.
  • Even during the crisis, she managed to keep her cool.
• Lose your cool: To become angry or upset and fail to stay calm.
  • He lost his cool and started shouting at the referee.

Verb

1. become quiet or calm, especially after a state of agitation
   • After the fight both men need to cool off.
   • It took a while after the baby was born for things to settle down again.