English

Verb

smooth over

1. (transitive) To make (a rough surface) smooth
2. (transitive) to pacify (e.g. rumours)
   • 1945 May, George Orwell, chapter 6, in Animal Farm: A Fairy Story, London: Secker & Warburg, OCLC 3655473:

     Then, as usual, the sheep broke into "Four legs good, two legs bad!" and the momentary awkwardness was smoothed over.