defuse
v [Tn]
1 remove or make useless the device that sets off (a bomb, etc) 拆除(炸弹等)的引信.
2 (fig 比喻) reduce the dangerous tension in (a difficult situation) 缓和(困难局面 的紧张状态
defuse tension, anger, a crisis 减弱紧张气氛、 平息怒火、 缓和危急局面.
'So long as there's something to identify, we will give people their money back,' said a spokeswoman for the Bank.'Last year, we paid $1.5m on 21,000 claims.