settle a score Definition

score
noun

1. A total number of points gained or achieved eg in a game.

Thesaurus: tally, count, number, record, reckoning, average, sum, aggregate, account, amount, total.
2. An act of gaining or achieving a point, etc.
3. A scratch or shallow cut, especially one made as a tally.
4. A bold line marking a boundary or defined position.
5. A set of twenty.

Example: three score
6. Very many; lots.

Example: I have scores of letters to write
Form: scores
7. colloq
The current situation; the essential facts
Example: What's the score with your job?
Form: the score
8. A written or printed copy of music for several parts, set out vertically down the page.
9. The music from a film or play.
10. A reason; grounds.

Example: He was accepted on the score of suitability
Form: the score
11. A grievance or grudge.

Example: He has an old score to settle
Thesaurus: grievance, grudge, injustice.
12. A record of amounts owed.
13. slang
A successful attempt to obtain drugs for illegal use.

verb scored, scoring

tr & intr
1. To gain or achieve (a point) in a game.

Thesaurus: win, gain, achieve, register.
intr
2. To keep a record of points gained during a game.
3. To make cuts or scratches in the surface of something; to mark (a line) by a shallow cut.

Thesaurus: mark, cut, groove, nick, notch, scratch, tick.
4. To be equivalent to (a number of points).

Example: black king scores three
5a. music.
To break down music into parts for individual instruments or voices;
5b. music.
To adapt music for instruments or voices other than those originally intended.
6. To compose music for a film or play.

Thesaurus: compose, orchestrate, arrange, adapt.
intr
7. To achieve a rating; to be judged or regarded.

Example: This film scores high for entertainment value
Thesaurus: rank, rate.
intr
8. slang
To obtain drugs for illegal use.
9. slang
To succeed in having sexual intercourse with them.
Form: score with someone (often)

Derivative: scorer
noun

Idiom: know the score

To know or be aware of the facts of a situation.

Idiom: on that score

As regards the matter or concern.
Example: She has no worries on that score

Idiom: over the score

colloq
Beyond reasonable limits; unfair.

Idiom: pay off a score (settle a score)

To repay an old grudge or debt.

Idiom: score an own goal

colloq
To do something unintentionally to one's own disadvantage.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon scoru, from Norse skor.

Phrasal Verb: score off someone or score points off someone

To humiliate them for personal advantage; to get the better of them.

Phrasal Verb: score something out

To cancel it by drawing a line through it.