make nice
Bury the hatchet
Make nice is to behave in a friendly or conciliatory way, especially when you don't feel like it or after a conflict: The boss told us to make nice with the client even though they'd been impossible.
The phrase often implies the friendliness is performed rather than genuine—smoothing things over for practical reasons rather than from warmth.
Lessen someone's anger
- mollifyReduce anger or distress
- pacifyTo calm agitation
- sootheGently ease discomfort
- appeaseSatisfy to restore calm
conciliate · propitiate · defuse · calm down · assuage · win over · butter up · curry favor
Resolve a disagreement
- patch upRepair roughly or reconcile
- mend fencesRestore strained relations
- bury the hatchetEnd hostilities formally
- smooth overMinimize or conceal difficulties
clear the air · bridge-building · olive branch · rapprochement · détente · truce · healing · repair
Maintain friendly relations
- cooperateWork jointly with others
- collaborateWork jointly with others
- work togetherAct jointly toward aim
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
meet halfway · find common ground · accommodate · give and take · coexist · harmonize · pull together · team up
Act with courtesy
- put on airsAffect false sophistication
- fake smileFeigned expression of happiness
- pleasantriesPolite conversational formalities
- small talkPolite trivial conversation
diplomatic · tactful · polite · courteous · respectful · decorous · well-mannered · proper
placate
Lessen someone's anger
appease · conciliate · propitiate · defuse · calm down · assuage · win over · butter up · curry favor · ingratiate
reconcile
Resolve a disagreement
- patch upRepair roughly or reconcile
- mend fencesRestore strained relations
- bury the hatchetEnd hostilities formally
smooth over · clear the air · bridge-building · olive branch · rapprochement · détente · truce · healing · repair · resolution
get along
Maintain friendly relations
- cooperateWork jointly with others
- collaborateWork jointly with others
- work togetherAct jointly toward aim
compromise · meet halfway · find common ground · accommodate · give and take · coexist · harmonize · pull together · team up · join forces
be civil
Act with courtesy
- put on airsAffect false sophistication
- fake smileFeigned expression of happiness
- pleasantriesPolite conversational formalities
small talk · diplomatic · tactful · polite · courteous · respectful · decorous · well-mannered · proper · genteel
make nicepick a fight
Intentionally provoke a quarrel
stir the pot · antagonize · provoke · make waves · escalate
make nicehave it out
Resolve dispute through confrontation
clear the air · sincere apology · make amends · speak one's mind
make, nice, nicely, nicest, nicer, niceness, niceish, overnice, nice-looking