take the edge off (something)
take the edge off (something)
To make something less intense, severe, or unpleasant. We won't be having lunch for another hour, but if you're hungry now, I've got some snacks to take the edge off. We can give you some medication to help take the edge off the pain.
See also: edge, off, take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
take the edge off
((of) something)1. Lit. to dull a blade. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) Cutting hard stuff like that will take the edge off your knife blade.
2. Fig. to decrease the effect of something; to make something less blunt, critical, etc. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) He did not mean to insult the guest, and he quickly thought of something to say that would take the edge off his remark. Her comments were quite cruel, and nothing could be said to take the edge off of them.
See also: edge, off, take
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
take the edge off
Ease or assuage, make less severe, as in That snack took the edge off our hunger, or Her kind manner took the edge off her refusal. This term alludes to blunting the edge of a cutting instrument. Shakespeare used it figuratively in The Tempest (4:1): "To take away the edge of that day's celebration." The precise wording of the idiom dates from the first half of the 1900s.
See also: edge, off, take
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
take the edge off something
COMMON If something takes the edge off a feeling or situation, especially an unpleasant one, it weakens its effect or unpleasantness. My head never seemed to clear completely, and the painkillers only took the edge off the pain. We had an informal chat before the interview and that took the edge off my nerves. Note: If something takes the edge off a blade, it makes it blunt.
See also: edge, off, something, take
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
take the edge off something
reduce the intensity or effect of something, especially something unpleasant or severe.See also: edge, off, something, take
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
take the ˈedge off something
make something less strong, unpleasant, etc: He tried to take the edge off the bad news by promising to help them in their difficulties. I had an apple before lunch, which took the edge off my appetite.See also: edge, off, something, take
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- take the edge off
- take the edge off something
- come to a bad end
- come to a bad/sticky end
- breathe a sigh of relief
- heave a sigh of relief
- have no stomach for something
- have the stomach for
- be tainted by (something)
- be in for