1
general::
adj. without bumps VERBS be, feel, look | become | wear sth The steps had been worn smooth by the thousands of passing feet. ADV. beautifully, exceptionally, extremely, really, very her beautifully smooth complexion | completely, perfectly | almost | fairly, quite | deceptively the deceptively smooth surface of the glacier without problems VERBS be, feel, look, seem | become ADV. extremely, incredibly, really, remarkably, very The project got off to a remarkably smooth start. | completely | not entirely The process of negotiation was not entirely smooth. | almost | fairly, quite, reasonably, relatively a fairly smooth transition to democracy, verb ADV. carefully, gently She smoothed his hair gently. | back, down, out Her mother smoothed back Alice's hair. Use an iron to smooth out any creases.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
3
general::
smooth sth over
[ M ]
to make problems, difficulties or disagreements less serious or easier to solve, usually by talking to the people involved
• Would you like me to try to smooth things over between you and your parents?, smooth sth away
[ M ]
to remove the difficulties from something
• My mother was always there to smooth away my fears., smooth sth out
[ M ]
to reduce the difficulties or changes in a process or situation
• By investing small amounts regularly, you can smooth out the effects of sudden rises and falls in the stock market.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs