soft-pedal

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

ruГлагол, означающий преуменьшать важность или остроту чего-либо, часто чтобы избежать обиды или тревоги.esVerbo que significa restar importancia o suavizar la gravedad o intensidad de algo, a menudo para evitar ofender o alarmar.frVerbe signifiant atténuer ou minimiser l'importance ou la gravité de quelque chose, souvent pour éviter de heurter ou d'alarmer.deEtwas herunterspielen, beschönigen oder abschwächen, um Aufmerksamkeit, Ärger oder Verletzungen zu vermeiden.ptVerbo que significa minimizar a importância, a gravidade ou a intensidade de algo, muitas vezes para evitar ofender, incomodar ou alarmar alguém.zh动词，指淡化或减轻某事物的重要性、严重性或尖锐程度，常为了避免冒犯他人或引起不安。arفعل يعني التقليل من أهمية شيء أو تخفيف حدّته، غالبًا لتجنّب إغضاب الآخرين أو إقلاقهم.

1. Play down or obscure C1 informal

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

   • 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.

   ruПреуменьшатьesquitar importanciafrMinimiserdeHerunterspielenptMinimizarzh轻描淡写arالتقليل من الشأن

   Synonymes: de-emphasizedownplaygloss overminimizeplay downtone downunderplay

   Antonymes: accentuateemphasizehighlightstress

• soft-pedaled past participle
• soft-pedalled past participle
• soft-pedaled past simple
• soft-pedalled past simple
• soft-pedaling present participle
• soft-pedalling present participle
• soft-pedals third person singular