The phrase "to smooth the way" means to make something easier or less challenging. It implies removing obstacles or difficulties to provide a smoother experience or process.
Sentences with «to smooth the way»
Such agreement could help smooth the way for multinational research projects, he noted. (sciencemag.org)
This was the panel that was supposed to help smooth the way for new writers and «keep those contracts coming in»? (hubpages.com)
The work done by the court here, especially as it may smooth the way of courts elsewhere, is exemplary. (slaw.ca)