smooth down - Definition & Meaning

smooth down

Third Person

smooths down

Present Participle

smoothing down

Past Tense

smoothed down

Past Participle

smoothed down

to do or say something in order to reach a state of peace or calmness

After the disagreement, he made an effort to smooth down tensions in the workplace by facilitating a constructive conversation among colleagues.
The parent gently smoothed down the child's worries about starting a new school, emphasizing the exciting opportunities ahead.
In the midst of the heated discussion, the mediator worked to smooth down emotions and guide the conversation toward resolution.
The team leader sought to smooth down concerns among team members by addressing uncertainties and providing clear communication about the project's progress.
She smoothed down the situation with a few calming words.

to transition from a state of agitation, stress, or excitement to a state of calmness

The child's tantrum finally smoothed down after his mother gave him a hug and spoke softly to him.
After receiving the good news, her excitement smoothed down and she was able to focus on her work again.
The waves of anxiety smoothed down as he practiced deep breathing exercises.
The chaos in the office smoothed down after the power was restored and everyone got back to their tasks.

to make a surface even and free from roughness by applying pressure or using a smoothing tool

She used a file to smooth the jagged edges down on the metal sculpture.
To achieve a flawless result, the craftsman smoothed down the clay sculpture before firing it in the kiln.
The carpenter decided to smooth down the surface of the newly crafted furniture using fine-grit sandpaper.
The artist carefully smoothed down the canvas before starting the painting to ensure an even surface.
After applying the plaster, the construction worker smoothed down the wall for a polished finish.

(of a surface) to gradually become even, flat, etc.

As she ran her fingers over the fabric repeatedly, she felt it gradually smooth down to a soft texture.
After years of use, the once uneven tabletop had smoothed down to a level surface, perfect for dining.