soft-pedal

• Etwas herunterspielen, beschönigen oder abschwächen, um Aufmerksamkeit, Ärger oder Verletzungen zu vermeiden.

A verb meaning to make something seem less important or less extreme than it really is, often to avoid causing offense or alarm.

1. Play down or obscureC1informal

   To make something seem less important, serious, or noticeable than it really is.

   Herunterspielen

   • The company tried to soft-pedal the negative impact of the layoffs.
   • He soft-pedaled his role in the project's success.
   • Politicians often soft-pedal controversial issues during campaigns.

   Synonymede-emphasizedownplaygloss overminimizeplay downtone downunderplay

   Antonymeaccentuateemphasizehighlightstress