The idiom “settle someone’s hash” implies decisively dealing with a person who is causing problems or settling a dispute, often through assertive or aggressive means.
Frequently used in contexts where one person handles a troublemaker or resolves an issue emphatically, “settle someone’s hash” encompasses an active approach to problem-solving, albeit with a potentially confrontational tone.
Imagine an individual being disruptive in a meeting, and a colleague steps in, sternly rectifying the situation—that colleague has “settled the disruptor’s hash.”
About the Author: Chris Drew has a PhD in Education. He has been a teacher in schools and universities and has taught English as a Second Language in Colombia. He is former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education.Settle Someone’s Hash Idiom Origins
This idiom has peculiar origins that can be traced back to the 19th century, interweaving food and fighting in an unusual culinary etymology. Google’s historical data found that it started to appear around 1828, as shown in the following graph:
An etymological breakdown is as follows:
- Historical Culinary Term: Historically, “hash” refers to a dish made from chopped meat and potatoes. This usage was common in the 19th century, symbolizing a mix or a mess—something cobbled together from available elements.
- Resolving Messy Situations: The idiom evolved from the context of turning a “mess” (the hash) into something manageable or resolved, often involving neutralizing a problem (or problematic person) effectively.
- Military Undertones: There’s also a theory that the phrase may have military connotations, with “settling one’s hash” akin to resolving a messy, problematic situation with authority and finality.
In modern language, using the phrase “settle someone’s hash” means dealing decisively with a person or problem, often suppressing or correcting their disruptive behavior or issues.
A quick glance at the Google Ngram Viewer shows that the phrase had notable popularity in literature from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century and still enjoys usage in today’s colloquial expressions, particularly in American English.
10 Examples in a Sentence
- “When the team argued, the coach intervened and settled their hash quickly.”
- “If he keeps causing disruptions, I’m going to go there and settle his hash.”
- “She wasn’t afraid to settle their hash when they started spreading rumors.”
- “The manager stepped in to settle the hash between the feuding coworkers.”
- “She knew how to settle his hash and stop the mischief immediately.”
- “I’ll have no choice but to settle your hash if this behavior continues.”
- “The school principal had to settle the hash of the quarreling students.”
- “He settled their hash by imposing strict rules and consequences.”
- “The judge settled the hash between the opposing parties with a firm verdict.”
- “The veteran detective was known to settle the hash of local troublemakers.”
Practice Questions Worksheet for Students
Question 1: What is likely meant by “settling the hash” of a disruptive individual?
- a) Complimenting them
- b) Ignoring them
- c) Dealing with them decisively
- d) Asking them politely to stop
Question 2: If your colleague “settles your hash” after a disagreement, how might they have acted?
- a) Passively and timidly
- b) Assertively and conclusively
- c) Indifferently and calmly
- d) Kindly and gently
Question 3: What emotion might you feel if someone promises to “settle your hash”?
- a) Joy and elation
- b) Fear or apprehension
- c) Satisfaction and contentment
- d) Hope and optimism
Question 4: How might one avoid having their “hash settled” by others?
- a) By causing more disruptions
- b) By behaving respectfully and cooperatively
- c) By ignoring all rules
- d) By escalating conflicts
Similar Idioms
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In a Sentence: “When chaos ensued, the teacher laid down the law.”
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In a Sentence: “After repeated offenses, the boss read the riot act to his team.”
3. Take down a peg
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5. Clamp down on
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In a Sentence: “The mayor clamped down on illegal street vending.”
6. Crack the whip
Definition: To enforce discipline.
In a Sentence: “She had to crack the whip to get the project back on track.”
7. Throw the book at
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In a Sentence: “If you keep violating the policies, they’ll throw the book at you.”
8. Take to task
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In a Sentence: “He was taken to task for his constant tardiness.”
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In a Sentence: “The principal brought the unruly students to heel.”
10. Keep in check
Definition: To control, suppress, or limit.
In a Sentence: “She managed to keep her anger in check during the debate.”
11. Call on the carpet
Definition: To reprimand or criticize someone.
In a Sentence: “She was called on the carpet for her reckless spending.”
12. Pull up
Definition: To scold or correct.
In a Sentence: “He was pulled up for his inappropriate remarks.”
13. Keep someone straight
Definition: To ensure someone behaves correctly.
In a Sentence: “Her stern gaze was enough to keep him straight.”
14. Nip it in the bud
Definition: To stop a problem from becoming serious by dealing with it as soon as it starts.
In a Sentence: “She nipped the argument in the bud before it escalated.”
15. Give a dressing down
Definition: To reprimand severely.
In a Sentence: “After the error was discovered, he was given a dressing down.”