1. Outbreak & Escalation of Conflict
Blow up (at someone)
Definition: To suddenly lose one’s temper and express intense anger.
Example: "Instead of addressing the issue calmly, he blew up at his team during the meeting."
Flare up
Definition: To suddenly erupt or intensify, often describing dormant or underlying tensions.
Example: "Tensions between the two departments flared up again after the budget cuts were announced."
Simmer away / Simmer under the surface
Definition: To exist in a suppressed, quiet state of anger or resentment that threatens to break out.
Example: "Unresolved grievances had been simmering under the surface for months before the strike began."
Spark off / Set off
Definition: To trigger or cause a sudden conflict or argument.
Example: "A casual remark about workload sparked off a fierce debate among the senior partners."
Lash out (at someone)
Definition: To attack someone verbally or physically, often impulsively out of frustration or defensiveness.
Example: "When criticized, people often lash out at others rather than accepting responsibility."
2. Dynamic During a Dispute
Play down
Definition: To minimize the significance or severity of a problem or dispute.
Example: "Management tried to play down the conflict, claiming it was just a minor misunderstanding."
Fall out (with someone over something)
Definition: To stop being on friendly terms with someone after a major disagreement.
Example: "The co-founders fell out over the future strategic direction of the company."
Back down
Definition: To concede a point, withdraw a demand, or yield in an argument.
Example: "Neither party was willing to back down, leading to an absolute deadlock."
Dig in (one’s heels)
Definition: To stubbornly refuse to alter one’s opinion, stance, or position.
Example: "Instead of searching for common ground, both sides dug in and refused to negotiate."
3. Mediation & Resolution
Smooth (things) over
Definition: To reduce tension or repair damage after an argument, often by reassuring those involved.
Example: "The mediator managed to smooth things over before the final negotiations."
Iron out
Definition: To resolve small problems, details, or discrepancies through discussion.
Example: "We need a follow-up meeting to iron out the remaining points of contention."
Patched up
Definition: To temporarily or partially repair a damaged relationship or agreement.
Example: "They managed to patch up their working relationship, though underlying trust issues remained."
Thraw out / Unbend (often used as: Rule out / Step in)
Step in
Definition: To intervene in a dispute in order to assist, mediate, or prevent further escalation.
Example: "HR had to step in when the workplace environment became toxic."
Talk (someone) down
Definition: To persuade someone to calm down or abandon a hostile stance through gentle persuasion.
Example: "An experienced leader knows how to talk down an agitated colleague."
4. Post-Conflict & Aftermath
Simmer down
Definition: To gradually become calm after a period of excitement, anger, or agitation.
Example: "Give them a few hours to simmer down before attempting a serious discussion."
Clear the air (Idiomatic Phrasal Verb)
Definition: To engage in an open conversation to remove lingering mistrust or misunderstandings.
Example: "Holding an honest debrief allowed the team to clear the air and start fresh."
Suggested C1 Task Integration
To help students internalize these phrasal verbs, you can ask them to:
Rephrase sentences: Convert formal statements into idiomatic expressions (e.g., "They refused to compromise" $\rightarrow$ "They refused to back down / They dug in").
Role-play: Conduct a mediation scenario where one student acts as a neutral third party using phrasal verbs like step in, smooth over, and iron out.
Would you like a fill-in-the-blank exercise or a set of targeted discussion questions centered specifically on using these phrasal verbs
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