Now and then someone undertakes to "diffuse" a conflict budding somewhere in the project. Probably they really mean they want to defuse the problem, as in "remove its fuse" – like from a bomb – to avoid blow-ups. Diffusing a conflict would be to spread it over a wide area, which is presumably not the intention.

Sometimes people write lengthy posts at WP:ANI, or propose Arbcom cases, or use the images on this page, in hopes of defusing a situation; however, the ensuing drama often means the conflict is diffused instead.

• 
  Smoke can be seen diffusing at left. Next time, call the bomb defusing team.
• 
  Avoid blow-ups
• 
  Next customer!

• "12 tips for diffusing office conflict" (especially recommended – from Pest Management Professional)
• "How to Diffuse a Difficult Situation - in Just Five Words" (for those in a hurry to begin diffusing) - "There's a simple sentence that can help you to diffuse a difficult situation, and stop a fight before it begins." Possibly that's "with all due respect".
• "The 1 Skill Leaders Need To Diffuse A Conflict Between Employees" (for when the diffusion need is urgent)
• MANAGING CONFLICT AND DIFFUSING ANGER (for advanced diffusers)

Closely related concepts include:

• 
  Making inciteful comments
• 
  We can't support you in good conscious
• 
  Sewing chaos
• 
  An effluent neighborhood
• Much adieu about nothing
• 
  Having de Gaulle to do something

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  A civil and constructive manor
• 
  She's going to work weather or not
• 
  Breeches of civility
• 
  The right to bare arms
• 
  Buy in large
• 
  Aired on the side of caution

• 
  Duel citizens (and see also [1])
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  Where angles fear to tread
• 
  Pedaling bogus arguments
• 
  It's a doggie-dog world
• 
  My curiosity
  was peeked
• 
  My curiosity
  was peaked
• 
  For all intensive purposes
• 
  Non-consensual editing (Not illustrated: sensual editing)