smooth over

• Verbe à particule utilisé pour désigner l'action d'atténuer un problème, une difficulté ou un désaccord afin de les rendre moins graves ou plus faciles à résoudre.

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

indénombrable · transitif · phrasal, séparable

1. Resolve a conflictinformal

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

   aplanir un différend

   • 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.

   Synonymesappeaseclear upiron outmediatepatch upreconcileresolvesettlesoothestraighten out

   Antonymesaggravateinflameintensifyprovokeworsen

2. Make something appear betterinformal

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

   édulcorer, présenter sous un jour favorable

   • 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.

   Synonymescover updownplaygloss overpalliateplay downsugarcoatwhitewash

Verbe de basesmooth