defuse

He spent a lot of time as a "spotter", watching out for known trouble-makers, gathering operational intelligence, and helping to defuse potential flashpoints at football games.

A pensions timebomb is ticking on the Isle of Man and the self-governing island off the UK's west coast came very close to defusing it last week.

After a press conference which it held in the hope of defusing the outrage turned into a PR disaster, the company held a second one that lasted 10 hours - intended to show remorse.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to defuse a row with the new US administration over a new land law by speaking to Elon Musk.

The lawsuit says Martin tried to defuse the situation by getting out of the vehicle to reason with Podkowski, who responded by drawing a gun from his waistband and pointing it at Martin’s head.