撫なで下おろす

godan verb (-su)

stroke down; smooth down

Literally to stroke downward; most commonly used in the set phrase 胸を撫で下ろす (to feel relieved).

See also: 胸を撫で下ろす

• 母ははは子こ供どもの髪かみを優やさしく撫なで下おろした。

  The mother gently stroked down her child's hair.

• 無ぶ事じだと聞きいて胸むねを撫なで下おろした。

  I was relieved to hear that they were safe.