1.   An argument broke out in the crowded pub after some drink was knocked over and Mr Brown tried to defuse the situation.

2.   Negotiation could sometimes defuse these situations and produce more acceptable consequences for both parties.

3.   And though his goal was to defuse the situation, he succeeded only at opening a wall to a flood.

4.   At the moment of a perceived criminal assault, a gun could of course be drawn in a last-minute bid to defuse the situation.

5.   A potentially very dangerous situation was defused.

6.   After a few hours, the farmers inside were released, temporarily defusing the situation.

7.   Agency counselors talked to the students and defused the situation, she said.

8.   Bush has come under increasing criticism, both at home and abroad, for not moving quickly enough to defuse the situation in the Middle East.

9.   Burton tried to defuse the situation with a stab at humor.

10.   But intelligent training should enable most to defuse contentious situations instead of inflaming them.