Meaning of smooth someone's feathers | Babel Free

Definitions

To soothe (someone) who has had their feathers ruffled; to pacify (someone) who is upset.

Examples

“L'Estrange bowed and offered his arm, while Mr Millis smoothed his ruffled feathers, and went back to the other young men , — smoothed his feathers, because it would never have⟳ answered to let⟳ others see⟳ that Mr Millis had got the worst of an encounter of any kind.”

“She's mad at me for letting you go; so you help⟳ me smooth her feathers tonight.”

“Subsequently, Leslie's two wives smoothed his feathers, deferred to him, bolstered him, allowed him to “say⟳ exactly what he thought, however inconvenient, and do exactly what he liked” (page 110).”

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