smooth back
(redirected from smoothing something back)smooth back
To cause something to move back and remain flattened with or as with one's hand or hands. A noun or pronoun can be used between "smooth" and "back." I smoothed back the feverish child's hair and placed a damp washcloth on her forehead. I smoothed the crinkled paper back so the scanner would be able to read the barcode.
smooth something back
to flatten and position something by pressing or smoothing. He smoothed his hair back out of his eyes. Jeff smoothed back his hair.