smooth over — ease tension (figurative)
phrasal verbC1IELTS 7+neutraloccasional
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
Say it like a native
Textbook She attempted to alleviate the tension between them.
Native She tried to smooth things over.
'Smooth over' is the idiomatic verb for calming a disagreement; the paraphrase is formal.
Pattern: smooth over something | smooth something over
In use
- 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
Common mistake
✗ She smoothed the argument.
✓ She smoothed over the argument.
'Smooth OVER' a problem (or 'smooth things over') — don't drop 'over'.
Common collocations
smooth over + friction— things, the situation, a disagreement, any 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.