smooth (redirected from smoothing)

an easy/smooth ride

a bumpy/rough ride - a difficult time. It has taken years to set up a support network without adequate funding. It hasn't been an easy ride.

See also: easy, ride

paper/smooth over the cracks

to hide problems or faults, especially arguments between people, in order to make a situation seem better than it really is. The two-party coalition has so far been successful in papering over the cracks. I'm tired of smoothing over the cracks in our marriage - I want a divorce! (sometimes + in)

See also: crack, over, paper

smooth (someone's) ruffled feathers

to try to make someone feel less angry or upset, especially after an argument. I spent the afternoon smoothing ruffled feathers and trying to convince people to give the talks another chance.

See also: feather, ruffle

smooth the way for someone/something

to make it easier for someone to do something or for something to happen. Parents can do a lot to smooth the way for their children when they start school. To smooth the bill's way through Congress, the President met with Republican leaders to hear their views.

See also: way

take the rough with the smooth (British & Australian)

to accept the unpleasant parts of a situation as well as the pleasant parts. You have to be prepared to take the rough with the smooth in marriage.

See also: rough, take

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smooth out something

to make differences smaller. The two countries are working hard to smooth out their disagreements. A monthly average of sales smooths the highs and lows out and gives a more accurate idea of business activity.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of smooth out (= to make regular)

smooth over something

to make problems seem less serious. He's on a three-day visit to smooth over a crisis. They failed to agree on the main issue, and he certainly wasn't going to ignore it or try to smooth it over.

See also: over

smooth the way for someone/something

to make conditions easier for something to happen. Parents can do a lot to smooth the way for their children when they start school. To smooth our way, many people offered to drive us to and from the hospital.

See also: way