smooth onto

smooth (something) onto (someone or something)

To spread some substance evenly across the surface of something or on someone's skin with a rubbing motion. I smoothed the peanut butter onto the crackers and sprinkled raisins all over them. You'll need to smooth this ointment onto the burned skin three to four times per day.

See also: smooth

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

smooth something onto someone or something

 and smooth something on

to spread or flatten something onto someone or something. Ted smoothed the suntan lotion onto Alice, who lay on a towel in the sand. He smoothed on some lotion.

See also: smooth

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.