damp down
Muffle the flames
To damp down is to reduce the intensity of something—literally or figuratively.
You damp down a fire by restricting its air supply, or damp down speculation by issuing a denial.
The phrase suggests controlled suppression rather than elimination: Officials tried to damp down fears of a wider conflict.
British English sometimes uses damp down where American English would use dampen.
suppress
Forcibly end unrest
contain · curb · check · inhibit · restrain · control · moderate · temper
quell
Forcibly end unrest
smother · contain · curb · check · inhibit · restrain · control · moderate · temper · calm
smother
Deprive of air
starve · choke · suffocate · blanket · reduce · embers · coals · overnight
spray
Dispersed liquid droplets
water · spritz · dust control