Simmer down

[Elisa70]

Hi,
Can you explain to me the meaning of " How many times do I have to tell you to simmer down"?
Is there same common expression to say the same thing?

Elisa

 

[emsr2d2]

I have told you many times to calm down. You have not calmed down. How many times will I have to tell you to calm down before you actually calm down?

 

[Barb_D]

Grammar and usage aside, I'll just say that in my experience, having someone tell me to "calm down" usually has the opposite effect. Especially if I am not actually very excited to start with. Being told to "simmer down" probably will make me even angrier.

 

[MikeNewYork]

There are, however, people who need to be told to calm down or simmer down. I have been in bars with many of them.

 

[Elisa70]

In other words, "simmer down" is the same that "pull yourself together" or "cool It!".
Is that right?

 

[emsr2d2]

I agree about "Cool it" but not with "Pull yourself together".

"Simmer down/Calm down" suggest that someone is out of control with anger or frustration. Usually, someone being told to "Pull yourself together" is very upset or sad and is having a different kind of meltdown.

 

[Tdol]

There are, however, people who need to be told to calm down or simmer down. I have been in bars with many of them.

Maybe there are better ways of telling them than, errr, telling them. ;-)

 

[MikeNewYork]

It works for me. :snipersm:

 

[77phrasalverbs]

For me "simmer down" would only be used in quite a specific situation. I imagine a teacher telling a group of children to be quiet. The other Phrasal verb to use here would be "shut up", which is of course too impolite for most situations. I think "simmer down" would be quite inappropriate if you tried to use it between adults. The person who hears this will probably understand you are calling him/her a child. I think this phrasal is just for teachers.

 

[Mrfatso]

In my opinion no, it is appropriate to use simmer down in a conversation with another adult, there is no indication of a relationship of adult and child in the phrase.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Just think of a pot of soup boiling over onto the stove. You're saying: "Stop boiling over - to come down to a simmer."

 

[Eckaslike]

(Not a Teacher. BrE first language speaker)

The only thing I might add is that to me "cool it" feels like a step up from telling someone to "simmer down", but a step below telling someone to "shut up".

I can't think of the last time I have said, or had to say, "simmer down" to anyone and agree with Barb_D it often has the opposite effect when used on other adults. To me it feels like the preserve of those that need to keep control such as teachers or the police.