soften the blow

Definitions

To reduce the negative impact of something.

figuratively

Examples

“Traditionally, people gave a compliment first so it would soften the blow⟳ of what was to come⟳ after. It does not soften the blow⟳, it fully erases the fact that they ever been complimented because their mind⟳ is focused on the last⟳ thing they heard, […]”

“In prison there are no loved ones to soften the blow⟳ of such terrible news. I hated being the one to tell⟳ him, but it was infinitely better than if he got the news from someone he rarely heard from.”

“European governments moved this weekend to soften the blow⟳ of soaring costs and a deepening energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine, and scrambled to prepare⟳ for the possibility of social unrest as the days grow⟳ colder.”

““It’s quite common for people to tell⟳ a little white lie⟳ when they’re declining invitations,” says Elaine Swann, etiquette expert and author of Elaine Swann’s Book of Modern Etiquette. Swann says people do this to avoid⟳ offense and “soften the blow⟳”.”

CEFR level