take the edge off

take the edge off

Meaning:

• blunt the effect of
• reduce the impact of
• make less severe

Examples:

1. Have a painkiller – it'll take the edge off the pain your in hand.
2. Her apology took the edge of his anger.
3. After a strong hard work, I need to eat something to take the edge off fatigue and hunger.
4. The coconuts took the edge off the dehydration and hunger when I was lost on an isolated island.
5. I don't know how to take the edge off the fear from heights.
6. Do some meditation and yoga this will take the edge off the stress.

Origin:
This idiomatic expression dates from the first half of the 1900s.