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Meaning of 'settle up with'

English Language Learners Asked by KIN on December 27, 2020

Jane and John had an argument about money.

Jane’s sister Ann heared the quarrel and the family friend gardener came to help their landscaping work.

Gardener : I heard you might be in need of landscaping work.

Ann: Pretty much always. You can ***settle up with*** Jane or John.

In this context what means of settle up with Jane or John?
Is it some kind of joke?

One Answer

In this context "You can settle up with Jane or John." means "Jane or John will pay your bill". To "settle up with" is to come to a final settlement of a financial obligation, agreeing on the amount do an paying it or arranging payment of it. Most often it simply means "pay the bill" but it carries an implication of "render an account and get it paid" that is, it includes delivering a bill, often a more or less detailed bill, coming to an agreement on what is owned (if there is any dispute), and making payment.

No joke seems to be intended here.

The phrase is also used metaphorically, to mean getting satisfaction or revenge. Fort example 'John insulted me, but I am going to settle up with him before long." The implication here is that the speaker "owes" John something for the insult, and with deliver what is owed, probably some sort of revenge or retaliation. This metaphorical use is something of an idiom, but is not the use intended in the quoted text.

Correct answer by David Siegel on December 27, 2020

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