smooth over
B2Neutral to Formal, common in professional and political contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To try to make a problem or disagreement seem less serious or easier to deal with, often by discussing it calmly or by ignoring its more difficult aspects.
To gloss over difficulties; to superficially resolve a conflict or mitigate the negative aspects of a situation without addressing the root cause.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This phrasal verb implies an action that is not necessarily a deep or permanent solution; it often carries a slightly negative connotation of covering up or minimizing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The spelling of related words may differ (e.g., humour/humor).
Connotations
Consistently implies a potentially superficial or temporary fix in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] smooth over [Direct Object (problem/issue)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “paper over the cracks (similar meaning)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The manager tried to smooth over the dispute between the two departments before the board meeting.
Academic
The author's conclusion smooths over the complex ethical contradictions raised earlier in the paper.
Everyday
She baked cookies to smooth over her earlier argument with her neighbour.
Technical
Not typically used in highly technical fields; more common in human relations contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The diplomat attempted to smooth over the tensions during the bilateral talks.
- He brought flowers to smooth over their quarrel.
American English
- The spokesperson tried to smooth over the CEO's controversial remarks.
- Let's have a meeting to smooth over this disagreement.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- After the argument, they talked to smooth things over.
- She apologised to smooth over the misunderstanding with her friend.
- The new policy is an attempt to smooth over the deep divisions within the community.
- His conciliatory speech was a transparent attempt to smooth over the fundamental flaws in the proposal.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of applying a smooth layer of paint OVER a crack in a wall: it looks better temporarily, but the crack is still there underneath.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFLICT IS A ROUGH SURFACE / PROBLEMS ARE OBSTACLES (making them smooth/easy to pass over).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as "гладкий сверху".
- Avoid confusing with "to smooth out" (which means to remove small problems or irregularities).
- The closest equivalents are "загладить (конфликт)" or "сгладить (шероховатости)", but note the connotation of superficiality.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *'He smoothed over the table.' (Use 'smoothed out').
- Incorrect preposition: *'smooth across' or 'smooth off'.
- Using it for a complete resolution: It's better to say 'resolve' for a deep, permanent fix.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of using 'smooth over' instead of 'resolve'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Smooth over' means to make a problem seem less serious. 'Smooth out' means to remove small difficulties or irregularities from a process or surface (e.g., smooth out the wrinkles, smooth out the transition).
It is often neutral but can carry a negative connotation, suggesting the core issue is being avoided or hidden rather than properly solved.
Yes, it is common in personal relationships (e.g., 'smooth over an argument').
It is a transitive phrasal verb (verb + particle). It requires a direct object (the problem being smoothed over).