Meaning of soften someone's cough | Babel Free

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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