smooth (someone's) ruffled feathers

to try to make someone feel less angry or upset, especially after an argument.

I spent the afternoon smoothing ruffled feathers and trying to convince people to give the talks another chance.

• hit the something mark
• hit the spot
• hit the wall
• hit up
• hit where it hurts
• hit where it hurts most
• hit you between the eyes
• hit you like a ton of bricks
• hit you right between the eyes
• hit your stride
• Hobson's choice
• ho-hum
• hoist a few
• hoist with own petard
• hoist with your own petard
• hold against
• hold against someone
• hold a gun to head
• hold a gun to someone's head
• hold all the aces
• hold all the cards
• hold at arm's length
• hold back
• hold back from
• hold back from doing something