smooth over

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verb

(tr) to ease or gloss overto smooth over a situation

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby smooth over

smoothie, smoothing circuit, smoothing iron, smooth muscle, smooth operator, smooth over, smooth sailing, smooth-shaven, smooth snake, smooth-spoken, smooth sumac

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

How to use smooth over in a sentence

He has spoken about how he would listen to her to smooth over the rough days, or heighten his joy.
Billie Holiday, Barack Obama, and the Pain of Black Women|Joshua DuBois|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At times, progressives go to great lengths to smooth over the differences between them and the party establishment.
DINO Hunting: Netroots vs. Steve Israel|David Freedlander|February 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The opposition of these groups marks a new obstacle in efforts to smooth over the partisan divide on Capitol Hill.
Conservative Groups Oppose Budget Deal|Ben Jacobs|January 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Plus, A.L. Bardach on whether Arnold's lying to smooth over his past.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Comes Clean|Laurence Leamer|September 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Despondent over the turn of events, Ford asked her sons, Mike, Steve, and Jack, to try to smooth over tensions with the center.
Betty Ford Center's Messy Path After Former First Lady's Death|Lois Romano|November 9, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He refused to smooth over their wrong doing or listen to the excuses they offered for going to war.
Four American Indians|Edson L. Whitney
Could you see anything in that blind-like look sideways—and hair so smooth over the ear?
Where the Pavement Ends|John Russell
I had been willing to smooth over all differences with him until he made Mary Desmond the issue between us.
In Hostile Red|Joseph Altsheler
He must know how to deal with his pupils, how to smooth over the rough places of temperament.
The Psychology of Singing|David C. Taylor
This wears you out more than anything, for you have always to be ready to smooth over and soften every sentence that is said.
Lazy Thoughts of a Lazy Girl|Jenny Wren

Other Idioms and Phrases with smooth over

smooth over

Rid of obstructions or difficulties, as in We tried to smooth things over between the families before the wedding but did not succeed. [Late 1600s]

smooth over

Words nearby smooth over

Words related to smooth over

How to use smooth over in a sentence

Other Idioms and Phrases with smooth over