take the heat out of (something)

take the heat out of (something)

To alleviate pressure, tension, or danger from a situation. Barry tried cracking a joke to take the heat out of the argument, but no one heard what he said. The president is meeting with both countries' leaders in an effort to take the heat out of the international standoff.See also: heat, of, out, take

take the ˈheat out of something

make a situation less tense, emotional, dangerous, etc: The police tried to take the heat out of the situation by withdrawing for a while. OPPOSITE: add fuel to the fire/flamesSee also: heat, of, out, something, take