calmness
a feeling of being relaxed and not worried
a state of being calm, relaxed, and not anxious or upset
staying calm when something is difficult
the ability to stay controlled and not panic or overreact, especially in a difficult or stressful situation
a place or time that feels quiet and peaceful
a quiet, peaceful condition in a place, with little noise, activity, or disturbance
weather or sea that is not rough
a condition of little or no wind, waves, or storm activity
when someone is usually calm
a person’s generally calm and untroubled nature, shown as a usual way of reacting
a short time when things become quiet again
a temporary period when unrest, conflict, or intense activity stops or becomes less severe
- Base: calmness
- Plural: calmness
calm down
1become or make less upset
To stop feeling very angry, afraid, or excited, or to help someone else stop feeling this way.
- She took a deep breath to calm down.
- You need to calm down and think about this carefully.
- Please calm down and explain what happened.
- The teacher tried to calm the class down after the loud noise.
- He didn’t calm down until he got an answer from the doctor.
calm down
1become less upset
to stop being angry or worried
- Take a minute to calm down before you reply.
- She calmed him down by speaking quietly.
- He finally calmed down after he realized it was a misunderstanding.
- Please calm down.
- I need to calm down.
keep calm and carry on
1stay calm and continue
To stay calm and continue what you are doing, even when things are difficult or frightening.
- In difficult times, all we can do is keep calm and carry on.
- The slogan "Keep calm and carry on" is printed on many posters and mugs.
keep calm and carry on
1stay positive and continue
stay calm and continue working
- When the schedule changed again, she just said, 'Keep calm and carry on.'
- The poster in the hallway read 'Keep calm and carry on.'
- He tried to follow a keep-calm-and-carry-on attitude during the crisis.
- Keep calm and carry on.
keep your calm
1stay controlled and unpanicked
to stay calm and not panic
- Try to keep your calm when the customer complains.
- He kept his calm and explained the problem again.
- It’s hard to keep your calm in heavy traffic.
- Keep your calm.
- She kept her calm.
remain calm
1continue in a calm state
To keep feeling and acting calm, especially when something bad or surprising happens.
- Passengers are asked to remain calm and wait for further information.
- He managed to remain calm throughout the interview.
remain calm
1stay calm (formal)
to stay calm (often in announcements)
- Passengers were told to remain calm and stay seated.
- He remained calm throughout the interview.
- Please remain calm while we resolve the issue.
- Remain calm and wait.
stay calm
1remain not upset or afraid
To not become angry, afraid, or very excited in a situation.
- Please stay calm and follow the instructions.
- It is important to stay calm in an emergency.
stay calm
1remain calm
don’t get nervous or angry
- Stay calm and listen to the instructions.
- She tried to stay calm, but her hands were shaking.
- If you stay calm, it’s easier to think clearly.
- Stay calm, please.
- I try to stay calm.
the calm before the storm
1quiet time before trouble starts
A quiet, peaceful time just before something busy, difficult, or bad happens.
- The office is very quiet today; it feels like the calm before the storm.
- The small argument at dinner was just the calm before the storm of a bigger fight.
the calm before the storm
1quiet time before trouble
a quiet time just before a difficult time
- The office was quiet at 8 a.m.—the calm before the storm.
- Their friendly meeting turned out to be the calm before the storm.
- The weeks before the election felt like the calm before the storm.