What does "smooth over" mean?

To make a problem seem less serious To minimize or resolve difficulties.

How do you use "smooth over" in a sentence?

She tried to smooth things over. Can you smooth over the situation? They smoothed over their differences.

Phrasal Verb BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

Meaning: To make a problem seem less serious

平息问题，化解矛盾

Suavizar un problema, limar asperezas

問題をうまく収める、丸く収める

문제를 원만하게 해결하다, 무마하다

To minimize or resolve difficulties.

尽量减少困难或解决问题。通过调解使紧张局势缓和。

Minimizar o resolver dificultades. Manejar conflictos de manera diplomática.

困難を最小限に抑えたり、解決したりすること。対立や問題を穏便に処理する。

어려움을 최소화하거나 해결하다.

Base verb: smooth

Particle: over

Separable: Yes — the object can go between the verb and particle

She tried to smooth things over.
她试图平息事态
Intentó suavizar las cosas
彼女は事態を丸く収めようとした
그녀는 상황을 원만하게 해결하려 했다.
Can you smooth over the situation?
你能化解这个局面吗？
¿Puedes limar asperezas en esta situación?
状況をうまく収めてもらえますか？
상황을 좀 무마해 줄 수 있어?
They smoothed over their differences.
他们化解了分歧
Limaron sus diferencias
彼らは意見の相違をうまく収めた
그들은 서로의 차이를 원만하게 해결했다.

Context: conflict resolution

Tone: diplomatic

From smoothing rough surfaces.

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal