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How "diffuse the situation" spreads confusion, not calm
Lloyd Cooper 14/10/2024, 16:45English.me team member
What kind of error is it?
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.
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