She tried to 'smooth things out' [=end an argument or disagreement] with her daughter-in-law, but the damage was done.
They 'smoothed the way' for a quick end to the dispute. [=they made it easier to achieve a quick end to the dispute]
Her time at college wasn't all 'smooth sailing'. [=she had some problems/difficulties during her time at college]
(..) because hanging... from your bottom lip is a long line and you can't get it off your bottom lip. Oh, if you wanna be gross, you can grab it and throw it over there. But you try to be smooth about it, you know... And it's breaking over here and it's breaking over there. Just vibrating. (..)1983 Bill Cosby: Himself
(..) at your shoe and they're going: And they hum a lot when they... ''Hum, how you been?'' You say, ''Fine.'' ''Hum, nice to see you again. Hum, oh, pardon me, hum.'' You know, very smooth people, you know. So then, of course, the obvious one is the wino, but see, winos, once they get down to (..)1983 Bill Cosby: Himself