soft-pedal

English

This entry lacks etymological information. If you are familiar with the origin of this term, please add it to the page as described here.

Verb

soft-pedal (third-person singular simple present soft-pedals, present participle soft-pedalling (UK) or soft-pedaling (US), simple past and past participle soft-pedalled (UK) or soft-pedaled (US))

1. To attempt to persuade without being obvious about it, by understating a position so the listener takes the good points as obvious.
2. To tone down, damp, mute or obscure something; to proceed in a less forceful, circumspect or subdued manner.

Related terms

• soft sell