settle in

get used to a new place, job, or situation

B2

What does "settle in" mean?

To settle in means to gradually become comfortable in a new place or situation — a new job, home, city, school, or country. At first, everything feels unfamiliar and a little overwhelming, but over time you learn where things are, get used to the routines, and start to feel at home. The process is usually gradual, which is why you'll often see settle in paired with time expressions like 'it takes a few weeks' or 'after a couple of months'. It focuses on your own internal adjustment and sense of familiarity, rather than on whether other people accept you socially. The phrase 'it takes time to settle in' is so common it's almost a fixed expression — you'll hear it whenever someone starts somewhere new.

Examples

How to use it

subject + settle in

The most common pattern — used alone with no object, often with a time expression to describe the adjustment period.

It took her a few weeks to settle in, but she's really enjoying the new role now.

it takes + time expression + to settle in

A near-formulaic structure used to reassure someone that adjustment is gradual and normal.

It takes most people a couple of months to settle in when they move to a new country.

be + settling in (ongoing process)

Used to describe the adjustment that is still happening — a natural choice when someone has recently arrived somewhere new.

How are you settling in at your new apartment? Is the neighbourhood nice?

once / after + subject + settle in

Used to describe what becomes possible or enjoyable after the adjustment period is complete.

Once you settle in, you'll find the commute isn't actually that bad.

help + person + settle in

A related transitive construction where someone assists another person in getting comfortable — the person receiving help becomes the object of 'help', not of 'settle in' itself.

Everyone on the team was really welcoming and helped me settle in during my first week.

Common Collocations

new jobnew schoolnew homenew countrynew officenew team

Common Mistakes

Confusing 'settle in' with 'settle into'

'Settle in' stands alone with no object. If you want to mention a specific thing you're adjusting to — a routine, a role, a seat — you need 'settle into' followed by that object.

✗ I'm starting to settle in my new routine.
✓ I'm starting to settle into my new routine. / I'm starting to settle in at my new job.
Confusing 'settle in' with 'settle down'

'Settle in' is about becoming comfortable in a new environment. 'Settle down' has different meanings — either becoming calm after being restless or noisy, or choosing a stable lifestyle. They are not interchangeable.

✗ After moving to Berlin, it took her a year to settle down in the city.
✓ After moving to Berlin, it took her a year to settle in.
Adding an object directly after 'settle in'

'Settle in' is intransitive, so it never takes a direct object. If you want to say who helped someone adjust, restructure using 'help someone settle in'.

✗ The manager settled in the new employee quickly.
✓ The manager helped the new employee settle in quickly.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both spoken and written English. It is very commonly used with time expressions: 'It took me a few weeks to settle in.'

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'settle in' always refer to a place, or can it describe other situations too?

It's most commonly used for new places — a home, school, city, or country — but it works for any new situation where you need time to adjust, like a new job, team, or role. The key idea is that you're becoming gradually comfortable with something unfamiliar, wherever that happens.

Can 'settle in' be used in the passive, like 'she was settled in quickly'?

No — 'settle in' (in this sense) is intransitive, meaning it describes what the subject experiences, not what is done to them. Because there's no object, a passive construction isn't possible. You would say 'she settled in quickly', not 'she was settled in quickly'.

Does 'settle in' mean the same thing as 'fit in'?

Not quite. 'Settle in' is about your own personal comfort with a new environment — learning the routines, feeling at home. 'Fit in' focuses on social acceptance — whether a group accepts you and you feel you belong. You could settle in well to a new city while still finding it hard to fit in with a particular group.

Is 'it takes time to settle in' a fixed phrase, or can I change it?

It's not grammatically fixed, but it's so frequently used that it functions almost like a formula. You can vary the time expression — 'it takes a few weeks / a couple of months / a while to settle in' — and it always sounds natural. It's a common and reassuring thing to say to someone who has just started somewhere new.

Can 'settle in' describe an animal, not just a person?

Yes, it works perfectly for animals too. If you get a new pet and it's gradually getting used to your home, you can say it's settling in — for example, 'The cat is still settling in, but she's already found her favourite spot on the sofa.' The core meaning of adapting to a new environment applies just as well.

Ready to practise?

Practise 1,000+ English phrasal verbs with interactive gap-fill exercises.

Start Practising →