defuse (something)

defuse (something)

To settle, calm, or make less dangerous an extremely tense, hostile, or volatile situation. Likened to removing the fuse from or otherwise disabling a bomb. The shouting match between the two employees was getting increasingly aggressive, so the boss was brought in to defuse the situation. A special United Nations envoy was sent to defuse the conflict between the warring sects.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • fuse box
  • fuse with
  • fuse with (something)
  • light the fuse
  • the bloom is off the rose
  • the bloom is off
  • dumpster fire
  • the blush is off the rose
  • a fifth wheel
  • a fifth/third wheel