to accept sth that is not exactly what you want but is the best that is available :
In the end they had to settle for a draw.
I couldn't afford the house I really wanted, so I had to settle for second best .
to accept sth that is not exactly what you want but is the best that is available :
In the end they had to settle for a draw.
I couldn't afford the house I really wanted, so I had to settle for second best .
Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary. Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне. 2005