smooth things over
Definitions
resolve a conflict or disagreement
To try to make a situation better or less tense by calming emotions or finding a compromisecover up a mistake or problem
To try to conceal or downplay a mistake or problem in order to avoid negative consequences
Examples of smooth things over
The argument between Sarah and her best friend, Anna, had left a sour taste in their relationship. Sarah knew she had to smooth things over before their friendship irreparably deteriorated.
In this example, "smooth things over" is used to describe the act of repairing a damaged relationship. Sarah recognizes that the argument she had with Anna has caused tension between them, and she wants to find a way to make things right before it's too late.
The salesman was exceptionally skilled at smoothing things over with his customers. After presenting a product that didn't quite meet their expectations, he would offer a discount or a refund to ensure their satisfaction.
In this example, "smooth things over" is used as a way to resolve customer complaints. The salesman understands that if a customer isn't happy with a product, it can damage the company's reputation. By offering a solution to the customer's problem, he's able to prevent any long-term damage and keep the customer satisfied.
After spilling red wine on the white carpet, Sarah frantically searched for a way to smooth things over. She tried every cleaning product she could find, but nothing seemed to work. In desperation, she poured white wine on the stain, hoping it would help.
In this example, "smooth things over" is used to describe the act of hiding or minimizing a mistake. Sarah is embarrassed about the wine stain on the carpet, and she's desperate to find a way to fix it. When she realizes that traditional cleaning methods aren't working, she gets creative and tries pouring white wine on the stain, hoping it will make the red wine seem less noticeable.
Despite the rocky start to their relationship, Michael was determined to smooth things over with his new girlfriend. He knew that communication and compromise were key to making any relationship work.
In this example, "smooth things over" is used to describe the act of repairing a damaged relationship by focusing on open communication and compromise. Michael recognizes that his new relationship isn't perfect, but he's committed to working through any challenges that come their way. By prioritizing open communication and compromise, he's able to repair the relationship and move forward.
After the argument, John tried to smooth things over by apologizing and offering to buy his friend a drink.
In this example, "smooth things over" is used as a phrasal verb to describe the action of reconciling and resolving conflict between two people. John's actions, such as apologizing and offering to buy a drink, aim to make things easier and less tense between him and his friend.
The CEO knew that the company's reputation had been damaged by the recent scandal, so he asked his team to come up with a plan to smooth things over with the investors.
In this example, "smooth things over" is being used in a business context to describe the process of repairing a damaged relationship between a company and its investors. The CEO is asking his team to develop strategies to minimize the negative impact of the scandal and restore the company's credibility.
When the traffic jam caused my flight to be delayed, the airline representative tried to smooth things over by offering me a voucher for a future flight.
In this example, "smooth things over" is being used in a customer service context to describe the efforts made by the airline representative to make up for the inconvenience caused by the flight delay. The voucher is a gesture aimed to ease the passenger's frustration and improve their experience with the airline.
After the team's poor performance, the coach sat down with the players to smooth things over and encourage them to work harder in the coming games.
In this example, "smooth things over" is being used in a sports context to describe the coach's attempt to boost the team's morale after a disappointing performance. The coach is trying to alleviate any tensions or frustration between team members and motivate them to improve for future games.
Conclusion
The idiom "smooth things over" is used in situations where there is a conflict or problem, and someone wants to make things better. It can be used to describe the act of resolving a disagreement or trying to make peace between people. It can also refer to the attempt to cover up a mistake or problem in order to avoid trouble.People may use this idiom in both personal and professional settings, such as in relationships, at work, or in negotiations. It is often used when there is tension or when someone wants to avoid negative consequences.
Overall, "smooth things over" is a versatile idiom that can be applied to various situations where someone is trying to improve a difficult or problematic situation.
Origin of "smooth things over"
The origin of the idiom "smooth things over" is not definitively known, but it likely comes from the idea of smoothing out wrinkles or imperfections. When someone "smooths things over," they are metaphorically trying to make the situation more even or less rough. The idiom has been in use for many years and is a common phrase in the English language.
One possible origin of this idiom could be from the practice of smoothing out fabric or paper to remove creases or wrinkles. This action symbolizes the effort to make something appear better or more presentable. Over time, the idiom evolved to encompass a broader meaning of resolving conflicts or covering up problems. Regardless of its exact origin, "smooth things over" has become a widely used expression in English.