smooth over

• Partikelverb, das beschreibt, eine Meinungsverschiedenheit, einen Fehler oder eine unangenehme Situation zu entschärfen, zu beschönigen oder zu bereinigen, damit sie weniger schwerwiegend erscheint oder leichter zu lösen ist.

A phrasal verb used to indicate the act of making a problem, difficulty, or disagreement seem less serious or easier to deal with.

unzählbar · transitiv · Phrasal, trennbar

1. Resolve a conflictinformal

   To make a problem or disagreement seem less serious or easier to deal with.

   Konflikt beilegen

   • He tried to smooth over the argument with a joke.
   • The manager smoothed over the misunderstanding between the two employees.
   • She apologized to smooth over the hurt feelings.

   Synonymeappeaseclear upiron outmediatepatch upreconcileresolvesettlesoothestraighten out

   Antonymeaggravateinflameintensifyprovokeworsen

2. Make something appear betterinformal

   To make a situation or relationship appear more pleasant or less difficult than it really is.

   Beschönigen

   • They smoothed over the financial issues with a temporary loan.
   • The politician smoothed over the scandal with a public apology.
   • He smoothed over the awkward moment by changing the subject.

   Synonymecover updownplaygloss overpalliateplay downsugarcoatwhitewash

Grundverbsmooth