soften someone's cough

Definitions

1. To completely negate or undermine someone's argument or position on a topic.
   Ireland, idiomatic
2. To humble or humiliate; put someone in his place.
   Ireland, idiomatic
3. To ease or sooth someone's cough.
   Ireland

Examples

“'Ha! That's softened your cough. Now, we'll waste⟳ no more time out here gabbing,' and that leather, hobgoblin face⟳ became very, very businesslike.”

“Let⟳ me fill⟳ you in on a few minor details that may soften your cough.”

“'Everyone knows this place⟳ is an obvious front,' I go. 'You're laundering the moo you stashed in Andorra.' That softens his cough.”

“Because this was blameless Mike's third such 'surprise⟳', Justice Carmel Healy decided she'd soften his cough by sticking him inside for a few months.”

“That's one thundering snotty bitch!” “Yeah,” Hanly said as he started the engine. “Thinks she's Marie Antoinette or some other high and mighty queen. I know⟳ it would only be a fine but it might just soften her cough a bit.”

“His father has mellowed, too; a bad hip has softened his cough.”

“O! now, my dear Doctor, but one glass of champagne, or a wine-glass of punch to soften my cough !”

“That'll help⟳ to soften his cough. I bet⟳ that's what your mam used to do for you when you were a bit chesty?”

“I rode down the mountain to get⟳ the powder he needed to soften his cough. He said he couldn't breathe⟳.”

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