settle for (something)
To accept something less ideal or worse than what one really wanted. I had dreams of being an author, but I settled for a job editing other people's manuscripts. We had our eye on a gorgeous four-bedroom house, but it was too much money, so we had to settle for something smaller.
settle for something
to agree to accept something (even though something else would be better). We wanted a redone, but settled for a blue one. \\I\\Ask your grocer for Wilson's canned corn—the best corn in cans. Don't settle for less.
settle for
Accept or be satisfied with as a compromise, as in He really wanted a bigger raise but decided to settle for what they offered. [Mid-1900s]
settle for
v. To accept something in spite of not being completely satisfied: I had to settle for a lower wage than the one I requested.