Settle up

Origin

The verb 'settle' boasts a rich history, evolving from Old English 'setlan' meaning to seat, make firm, or put in order. By the 16th century, it frequently referred to resolving disputes or establishing payments. The addition of the particle 'up' arrived later, becoming increasingly common in English phrasal verbs during the 19th century, often emphasizing completion, finality, or a bringing-to-a-conclusion. When you combine 'settle' with the sense of 'up' as in finishing something completely, you get the satisfying imagery of bringing all outstanding accounts to a definitive, level, and concluded state. It’s the linguistic equivalent of clearing a table after a meal, leaving nothing undone.