smooth over
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle over
Meanings
Make a problem or disagreement seem less serious
Why “over”? Something goes over another thing. It can hide it, protect it, or cover its surface.
“He smoothed over the argument.”
“The manager smoothed over the mistake.”
Don't confuse with
Smooth over means make a problem or disagreement seem less serious. Smooth down means make a surface flat by stroking it.
Test yourself
“He smoothed over the argument.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
smooth down
A contrast learners often mix up
Make a surface flat by stroking it
come over
Same over pattern: covering
Visit by crossing to where you are; Visit someone's house or place; Be felt by someone suddenly; Give a particular impression; Change to support a different side or opinion
cover over
Same over pattern: covering
Place something on top to hide or protect
do over
Same over pattern: covering
Repeat an action in order to do it correctly; Decorate or refurbish a room
gloss over
Same over pattern: covering
Treat lightly to hide difficulty
go over
Same over pattern: covering
Move from this side to the other; Examine or review something carefully; Be received in a particular way by an audience; Move to visit someone's house; Change to a different side, system or position
hang over
Same over pattern: covering
Loom above as a threat or mood
make over
Same over pattern: covering
Completely change someone's appearance or a place's look
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