soften

soften (one's or someone's) stance (on something)

1. To become less severe, strict, or inflexible in one's position or beliefs (regarding something). Our dad always said he would never let us have our own phones, but he softened his stance when my sister and I started high school. The senator has indicated that she may be softening her stance on the issue of tax reform.
2. To cause someone else to become less severe, strict, or inflexible in their position or beliefs (regarding something). I've been trying to soften the boss's stance on giving paid parental leave to all new employees. The government was originally adamant in their position on the controversial issue, but the continual protests around the country seem to be softening their stance.
See also: soften, stance

soften the blow

To make the impact of something negative less harmful. The government is introducing financial reliefs to soften the blow to those affected by the devastating floods. Playgrounds typically have sand or rubber grounds to help soften the blow if children fall off the play structures. When you have to tell someone about the death of a loved one, there's really no way to soften the blow.
See also: blow, soften

soften up

1. To become soft or malleable. The rubber seal softens up if the engine gets too hot, so we need to make sure to keep it cool. I keep butter in a dish on the counter so it softens up a bit.
2. To make something soft or malleable. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "soften" and "up." You need to heat the glass to high temperatures to soften it up before you can work with it. The sun softened the ground up a bit after being frozen over the winter.
3. To become less resistant or emotionally hardened; to become gentler or more amenable. My dad was a bit of a tyrant when we were kids, but he softened up as he got older. The company's upper management has been notoriously reserved about adopting more mainstream market trends, but they seem to be softening up in recent years.
4. To make someone more amenable to a suggestion or idea. Toddlers are difficult to deal with at the best of times. If you want yours to do something, sometimes softening them up with a small present or treat is the best course of action. Worried about how her mother might react to her new boyfriend, Jane asked her father to soften her up before she brought him over to dinner. I always suggest softening up potential clients with dinner at a nice restaurant.
5. To make someone less tough, focused, determined, skilled, or able-bodied. He used to be the sharpest detective in the force, but years behind a desk in the head office has softened him up. Worried about how her mother might react to her new boyfriend, Jane asked her father to soften her up before she brought him over to dinner.
See also: soften, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

soften one's stance (on someone or something)

Fig. to reduce the severity of one's position regarding someone or something. If he would soften his stance on the matter, I could easily become more cooperative.
See also: soften, stance

soften someone up

Fig. to prepare to persuade someone of something. I will talk to Fred and soften him up for your request. I will soften up your father before you ask him about it.
See also: soften, up

soften something up

to take actions that will make something softer. soften the butter up before you add it to the batter. Please soften up the ice cream before you try to serve it.
See also: soften, up

soften up

 
1. Lit. [for something] to become softer. The butter softened up in the heat of the day. The candles will probably soften up and bend over in this hot weather.
2. Fig. [for someone] to adopt a more gentle manner. After a while, she softened up and was more friendly. It was weeks before Ted softened up and treated us more kindly.
See also: soften, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

soften up

Reduce resistance, as in His sales motto was: a fine lunch and a few drinks often will soften up a prospective customer . This expression transfers lessening of physical hardness to lessening mental resistance. It was first used, however, in World War II, where it meant "reduce the enemy's defenses by preliminary bombing." [c. 1940]
See also: soften, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

soften the blow

COMMON If something softens the blow, it makes an unpleasant change or piece of news seem less unpleasant and easier to accept. Attempts were made to soften the blow, by reducing what some people had to pay. Note: You can also say that something cushions the blow. The firm is offering to cushion the blow with a £4,000 cash handout spread over two years.
See also: blow, soften
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

soften (or cushion) the blow

make it easier to cope with a difficult change or upsetting news.
See also: blow, soften
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

cushion/soften the ˈblow

make something unpleasant seem less unpleasant and easier to accept: When he lost his job he was offered a cash payment to soften the blow.
See also: blow, cushion, soften
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

soften up

v.
1. To make something soft or softer: He softened up his new baseball glove with some oil. He left the butter out to soften it up.
2. To undermine or reduce the strength, morale, or resistance of someone or something: The air force softened up the enemy positions with a heavy bombing campaign. The children gave me a present to soften me up before asking for new bicycles.
See also: soften, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • soften (one's or someone's) stance (on something)
  • soften stance
  • stance
  • go to the stake
  • take a hard line
  • hard line
  • stand pat
  • stand pat (on something)
  • stand pat on something
  • put (one's) foot down
References in periodicals archive
In this section we are going to present a theoretical framework, within which we will explain what we mean by the aforementioned "softened voice quality," and how one can account for it.
"Softened" Voice Quality in Poetry Reading: An Acoustic Study
"If you have a little nose, try a length that falls somewhere between your nose and lips," Denise advises, "If you have a larger nose, try chin-length hair to soften the jawline."
A Cut Above
Look For: Fruit that has begun to soften (that increases the odds that it will ripen properly).
How to pick fresh fruit
The trees soften the atrium's ambiance, and the wheelchair-height boxes with handrails can be used to foster garden club activities.
The Madison House
The decision to soften or not to soften is a matter of personal preference, despite some exaggerated advertising and consumer misconceptions.
To soften, or not to soften: a water softener is largely a matter of personal preference. Here are some things to consider
Restorations wear out mainly because of chewing, but if they soften, they'll degrade more easily.
Gums and resins
If they're soft, snip the dried slices with scissors into baked goods (such as muffins); if hard, soften by method 1.
Dried fruit put to good use...in sauces, muffins, spreads, toppings, pancakes
The Italian central bank has called on the ECB to soften its bad-loan resolution requirements, Reuters has reported.
Italian central bank calls on ECB to soften bad loans norms
Boots Deep Moisturising Foot Cream, PS3.99, Boots Soothing, medicated and antiseptic foot cream helps soften hard skin.
TEN OF THE BEST FOOT CREAMS
But all agree that food inflation would soften further by November-end when kharif crops flow into the market and settle down into a single digit around December.
FOOD INFLATION
EXTRA help is being offered to soften the blow of the recession.
Help to beat the recession
Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water for 10 minutes to soften.
Orange and passion fruit cheese cake
Take a block of unsalted butter and allow it to soften. Crush or finely chop six cloves of garlic.
Butter up guests; food
Goodrich discovered that adding a plasticizer could soften rigid PVC, which before then was considered to have no commercial value.
33 Rotational molding