[header] How to apologize after a dispute [title] Wait for the dispute to die down. [step] Let a little time go by before you apologize. This will allow both of you to cool off some while giving you time to think about how to make the best apology that you can. 
[substeps] Try to get a sense of whether the other person is upset still. Although you will probably recognize it when you see it, expressions of anger may involve clenching of the face or fists, yelling, throwing objects, etc.