soften (someone/something) up

to weaken someone or something.

Constant bombing was designed to soften the enemy up and weaken him.

The ads were just a way to soften up public opinion to accept a big price increase.

• set sights on
• set sights on doing something
• set sights on something
• set someone against someone
• set someone against something
• set someone apart from someone
• set someone apart from something
• set someone back
• set someone off
• set someone on a collision course
• set someone's mind at rest
• set someone straight
• set someone up
• set someone up for life
• set something against someone
• set something against something
• set something apart from
• set something apart from someone
• set something back
• set something in motion
• set something right
• set something straight
• set straight
• set teeth on edge
• set the agenda