tone down

verb

1. adverb to moderate or become moderated in tone

   to tone down a bright colour

   to tone down an argument

Idioms and Phrases

Make less vivid, harsh, or violent; moderate. For example, That's a little too much rouge; I'd tone it down a bit , or Do you think I should tone down this letter of complaint? This idiom uses tone in the sense of “adjust the tone or quality of something,” as does the antonym, tone up , meaning “brighten or strengthen.” For example, These curtains will tone up the whole room , or This exercise is said to tone up the triceps . [Mid-1800s]

Related Words

• dampen
• dim
• mitigate
• modulate
• play down
• restrain
• soften
• temper