smooth over

verb

1. tr to ease or gloss over

   to smooth over a situation

Idioms and Phrases

Rid of obstructions or difficulties, as in We tried to smooth things over between the families before the wedding but did not succeed . [Late 1600s]

Example Sentences

Andrews’ body language was of someone smoothing over a minor ruckus, her voice soothing as she asked co-workers if they were OK.

From Los Angeles Times

These stars embody the care and anxieties their characters feel for each other, wielding their chemistry to smooth over abrupt tonal shifts.

From New York Times

Chef Lachlan explains that we put oil in a pan to create a viscous layer and to smooth over the micro serrations and micro scratches in the pan.

From Salon

Britain was attempting to smooth over a flap that arose over Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s recent pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago, former President Trump’s Florida resort.

From Los Angeles Times

That level of fine detail usually isn't needed, even for cutting-edge materials science research, because light vibrates so quickly that it smooths over local imperfections in a material.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• arbitrate
• clear up
• eradicate
• expedite
• get rid of
• harmonize
• negotiate
• resolve
• settle
• straighten out
• unravel