Meaning trap

calm down

become calm

To become less upset, angry, or excited.

phrasal verbB1common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

become calm

To become less upset, angry, or excited.

calm down (make someone calm)

Another meaning of 'calm down' is 'make someone calm'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

After hearing the bad news, it took me a while to calm down.daily life
When I feel stressed about exams, I usually take a walk to help myself calm down.IELTS speaking

Pattern: calm down (no object)

WrongYou need to calm down yourself.

RightYou need to calm down.

When YOU settle, 'calm down' takes no object — 'calm down' alone is far more natural.

Patterncalm down (no object)

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Please compose yourself and try to relax.

Natural Just calm down.

'Calm down' is the everyday phrase for settling your emotions; 'compose yourself' is formal.

Words that usually travel with it.

This sense is about your own feelings, not about helping someone else.

calm down (make someone calm) — Another meaning of 'calm down' is 'make someone calm'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.