smooth away
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To make problems or rough parts go away by making things smooth.
Literal meaning: To smooth a surface so that roughness goes away.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To make wrinkles, roughness, or bumps disappear by smoothing a surface.
"She smoothed away the creases in the tablecloth before the guests arrived."
Grammar: separable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To eliminate problems, worries, or obstacles so they no longer exist.
"His calm reassurances smoothed away her anxiety about the surgery."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Often used in figurative contexts — smoothing away fears, doubts, or difficulties. Also used literally for physical surfaces. More common in formal or literary writing than casual speech.
Commonly used with
wrinkles worries difficulties fears doubts problems
Forms
Base
smooth away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
smooths away
he/she/it
Past simple
smoothed away
yesterday
Past participle
smoothed away
have + pp
-ing form
smoothing away
continuous
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