Please, sign up or log in to not lose your learning progress!

How "diffuse the situation" spreads confusion, not calm

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 14/10/2024, 16:45

English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

Diffuse the situation or defuse the situation. What's correct?

Malapropism

Why do people make this mistake?

People often confuse "diffuse" with "defuse" because they sound similar and both can imply reducing tension, but they have different meanings. "Diffuse" means to spread out, while "defuse" refers to making a situation less tense, akin to deactivating a bomb.

What is correct?

The correct phrase is "defuse the situation" meaning to reduce tension or resolve a conflict.

Examples of correct usage

The mediator was called in to defuse the situation before it escalated.
He tried to defuse the argument by changing the subject.
The manager stepped in to defuse tensions between the two employees.

Recommended posts in Grammar

Surely not: what's wrong with "shure"

Surely not: what's wrong with "shure"

The word "sure" is pronounced with an initial "sh" sound ... Learn more →

Why "jewlery" doesn't shine: a guide to correct spelling

Why "jewlery" doesn't shine: a guide to correct spelling

People often make this error because of the phonetic pronunciation ... Learn more →

Why "has fell" falls short: a guide to correct usage

Why "has fell" falls short: a guide to correct usage

People often mistake the past participle "fallen" with the simple ... Learn more →

Why "laying on the couch" doesn't sit right

Why "laying on the couch" doesn't sit right

The error stems from the confusion between the verbs "lay" ... Learn more →