making nice
Patching things up
Making nice is behaving pleasantly or agreeably toward someone, often despite underlying tension or past conflict.
The phrase suggests the friendliness is strategic or insincere—a social performance rather than genuine warmth: After the argument, they spent the holidays making nice for the kids' sake.
Sometimes implies superficial reconciliation without addressing real issues.
- peacemakingResolving conflicts through negotiation
- burying the hatchetEnding hostilities permanently
- empathySharing another's emotions
- tactSensitivity in speech
- ingratiationDeliberate favor-seeking behavior
bridge-building · building bridges · reconciliation · mending fences · apology · kindness · compassion · forgiveness · appeasement · emotional intelligence · compromise · keeping the peace · patience · flattery · mediation · people-pleasing · understanding · diplomacy
making niceescalating
Increasing by degrees
antagonizing · provoking · making waves · rocking the boat · fanning the flames
making nicehaving it out
Direct confrontation about grievances
sincere apology · airing grievances · calling out · speaking one's mind · standing one's ground
make, makes, made, maker, makers, making, remake, remaking, remade