What Does “Smooth sth away” Mean?
“Smooth sth away” means to make something unpleasant or unwanted disappear or less noticeable by making it smooth or even. It often refers to removing wrinkles, marks, or problems.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “smooth sth away” is commonly used in everyday English to describe the act of removing or reducing something negative or unwanted. Whether you are talking about smoothing away wrinkles on fabric or smoothing away tension in a conversation, this phrase helps express the idea of making things better or more pleasant. Understanding the smooth sth away meaning can improve your ability to describe actions clearly and naturally in English. This guide will explain how to use it, provide examples, and highlight common mistakes.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: smooth something away
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Meaning: to remove or reduce something by making it smooth or even
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Smooth sth away” is a separable phrasal verb, meaning the object can come between the verb and the particle or after the particle:
- Smooth the wrinkles away.
- Smooth away the wrinkles.
Both forms are correct, but the first is more common when the object is short.
How to Use Smooth sth away?
You use “smooth sth away” when you want to talk about making something unpleasant or rough disappear or less obvious. It is often used with physical things like wrinkles, marks, or bumps, but also with abstract things like tension or worries.
For example, you might smooth away a crease on your shirt or smooth away doubts during a discussion. It’s a versatile phrase that adds clarity and a natural tone to your speech or writing.
Examples
Here are some examples of “smooth sth away” in a sentence to help you understand its use:
- She smoothed the wrinkles away from the tablecloth before the guests arrived.
- He tried to smooth away the tension after the argument.
- Use this cream to smooth away dry patches on your skin.
- The teacher’s kind words helped smooth away the students’ worries.
- She carefully smoothed away the paint drips on the wall.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “smooth sth away” with similar phrases or use the wrong word order. Here are some common mistakes:
- Incorrect: Smooth away the wrinkles it.
- Correct: Smooth the wrinkles away.
- Incorrect: He smoothed away tension it.
- Correct: He smoothed away the tension.
Remember to place the object correctly and include “away” after the verb or after the object.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “wipe away,” “rub away,” and “brush away.” The main difference is that “smooth sth away” implies making the surface even or removing something by making it flat, while “wipe away” or “rub away” focus more on cleaning or removing by friction.
For example:
- “Wipe away tears” means to remove tears with a tissue or hand.
- “Smooth away wrinkles” means to make wrinkles less visible by flattening them.
Common Collocations
You will often hear “smooth sth away” with these objects:
- Wrinkles: lines on fabric or skin
- Tension: stress or nervousness in a situation
- Marks: stains or spots on surfaces
- Creases: folds in fabric or paper
- Worries: feelings of anxiety
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of smooth sth away:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “smooth sth away”:
Anna: Your shirt has some wrinkles. Did you smooth them away before coming?
Ben: I tried, but they didn’t all come out.
Anna: No worries. I’ll help you smooth them away quickly.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- A) She smoothed away the stain on her dress.
- B) She smoothed the stain away on her dress.
- C) She smoothed the stain away on her dress.
- D) She smoothed the stain away on her dress.
Fill in the blank: He tried to _______ the tension away before the meeting started.
FAQ
- What does “smooth sth away” mean? It means to remove or reduce something unpleasant by making it smooth or even.
- Is “smooth sth away” separable? Yes, you can place the object between “smooth” and “away” or after “away.”
- Can “smooth sth away” be used for feelings? Yes, it can describe reducing tension or worries.
- What level is this phrasal verb? It is suitable for B1 (Intermediate) learners.
- Can I use “smooth away” without an object? Usually, it needs an object to complete the meaning.
