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when the dust settles

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when the dust settles

 

1. Lit. when the dust falls out of the air. When the dust settles, we will have to begin sweeping it up.

2. . Fig. when things have calmed down. When the dust settles, we can start patching up all the hurt feelings.

See also: dust, settle

when the dust settles

after an activity stops We always believed that when the dust settled, the court would rule in our favor.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form until the dust settles: You meet lots of people when you travel on business, and until the dust settles, you don't know what you've actually accomplished.

See also: dust, settle