smooth out

smooth out — phrasal verb

  • smooth outbase form
  • smooths out3rd person singular
  • smoothing out-ing form
  • smoothed outpast simple

1. to reduce the sudden changes, differences, or irregularities in a process, patte

1.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to reduce the sudden changes, differences, or irregularities in a process, pattern, or situation, making it more steady or predictable

例句

Feng set up a monthly savings plan to smooth out the ups and downs of his freelance income.

smooth out + noun phrase (ups and downs of [something])

The new highway extension should smooth out traffic jams during the rush hour.

inanimate subject + smooth out [traffic problem]

同義詞
  • iron out

    more informal, strongly suggests removing wrinkles or imperfections in a plan or process

  • even out

    suggests balancing differences or making equal, especially in amounts or levels

  • stabilise

    more formal, emphasises making something steady and resistant to change

反義詞
  • disrupt

    to cause sudden changes or interruptions in a process

  • unsettle

    to make something unstable or unpredictable

文法句型

smooth out + noun phrase

smooth + noun phrase + out

用法筆記

The object can go after the full phrasal verb ('smooth out the differences') or between the verb and particle ('smooth the differences out'). The undivided form is far more common in all registers.

常見錯誤

❌The plan smoothed out.
✅The plan smoothed out the differences.
💡'smooth out' is transitive; it needs a direct object describing what is being made steadier.

2. to remove or settle problems, disagreements, or difficulties so that they no lon

2.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to remove or settle problems, disagreements, or difficulties so that they no longer cause trouble

例句

The hotel manager smoothed out the booking mistake by offering the couple a free upgrade.

smooth out + [mistake/problem] + by [action]

Théo and his business partner met twice to smooth out their disagreements over the new contract.

同義詞
  • resolve

    more formal; suggests a complete and often official solution to a problem

  • sort out

    more informal; common in everyday British English for fixing practical problems

  • iron out

    suggests working out small remaining difficulties until everything is smooth

反義詞

文法句型

smooth out + noun phrase (problem/disagreement/issue)

smooth + noun phrase + out

用法筆記

The object is usually something unwanted — a mistake, disagreement, glitch, or misunderstanding. Unlike 'smooth over' (which hides a problem temporarily), 'smooth out' suggests the problem is genuinely fixed.

常見錯誤

❌They smoothed out of the problem.
✅They smoothed out the problem.
💡no preposition before the object.
❌The conflict smoothed out by itself.
✅Something smoothed out the conflict.
💡'smooth out' is transitive; if you want an intransitive sense, use 'sort itself out' instead.