Grammar fix
smooth over
ease tension (figurative)
to try to make a problem, disagreement, or bad feeling seem less serious or to make people feel less upset about it, often by talking or acting in a reassuring way
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- She tried to smooth over the argument between her colleagues before the meeting started.relationships
- In situations where team members disagree, a good leader should be able to smooth over conflicts so the group can continue working effectively.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: smooth over something | smooth something over
WrongShe smoothed the argument.
RightShe smoothed over the argument.
'Smooth OVER' a problem (or 'smooth things over') — don't drop 'over'.
Patternsmooth over something | smooth something over
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Smooth over' is the idiomatic verb for calming a disagreement; the paraphrase is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
smooth over + frictionthingsthe situationa disagreementany differences
Don't confuse it
Unlike the literal sense of 'smooth' (to make a surface flat), this sense is figurative and refers to making social or emotional situations less tense. It is different from simply 'solving' a problem.