to lighten tensions
- phrasal verb
:
aliviar tensiones
- He tried to lighten tensions by sharing a funny story.
Examples
-
The mediator was brought in to lighten tensions between the two negotiating parties.
-
Her jokes helped to lighten tensions during the stressful meeting.
-
Let's lighten tensions with some humor!
-
The manager tried to lighten tensions during the meeting.
-
Using humor can really help to lighten tensions during a difficult meeting.
-
She told a joke to lighten tensions in the room after the argument.
-
To lighten tensions, he suggested taking a break and grabbing some coffee together.
Synonyms
962
1.0
Make a person or animal less upset
594
1.4
To become less angry, excited, or upset
305
2.1
To make something less painful or difficult
69
4.1
To become or make someone feel more cheerful and relaxed
31
3.4
To relax and become less nervous or tense
26
2.5
To make a load or worry feel less heavy
14
6.9
To make fear, anger, or worry less strong
8
7.2
To make someone less angry or upset
3
4.6
Make someone or something less noisy and calmer
2
4.5
To make a situation less tense by calming people
To make muscles or nerves feel less tight after stress
Make a tense person or situation feel more relaxed
To make a conflict or tense situation less dangerous and calmer
Antonyms
How Relaxed
5
3.4
5
3.5
2
4.5
50
3.1
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to make a tense or stressful situation more relaxed' is directly and transparently derivable from combining 'lighten' (to make less heavy/serious or more cheerful) with 'tensions' (anxiety or strain). This verb + noun compositional pattern is common in English and cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The phrase lighten tensions uses a simple image: to lighten is to make something less heavy, and tensions are the tight, uncomfortable feelings between people. So, to lighten tensions means to make a tense situation feel more 'relaxed' or 'calm'.