defuse
dee-FYOOZ
/ˌdiːˈfjuːz/
To remove the fuse from an explosive device; to reduce the danger or tension in a difficult situation.
Highly metaphorical. It implies that a situation is like a 'bomb' about to go off, and you are expertly making it safe.
The story behind the word. The word is relatively modern in its metaphorical sense, coming from 20th-century bomb disposal. It literally means to take the fuse out so the bomb can't explode.
Word relationships
- alleviate: Alleviate means to make suffering lighter; defuse means to stop a potential explosion of anger.
- ignite: Ignite means to set off a bomb or a conflict.
Commonly confused with
- diffuse: Diffuse (with an 'i') means to spread something over a wide area. Defuse (with an 'e') is about bombs and tension.
Collocations
- defuse a bomb
- defuse a situation
- defuse a crisis
Example sentences
- "A well-timed joke helped to defuse the tension in the room after the argument." A tense social situation.
Memory hook
De-fuse: Remove the fuse to stop the boom. Remove the fuse to stop the 'boom'.
When not to use
Don't confuse with 'diffuse' (to spread out).
Fun facts
- The most common mistake in English is writing 'diffuse the situation' when 'defuse' is intended.
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