water down

verb

1. to dilute or weaken with water
2. to modify or adulterate, esp so as to omit anything harsh, unpleasant, or offensive

   to water down the truth

Derived Forms

• ˌwatered-ˈdown, adjective

Idioms and Phrases

Dilute or weaken, as in He watered down that unfavorable report with feeble excuses . [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

In most ways, the creators of the musical did not want to water down the Tevye they knew and loved.

From The Daily Beast

Netanyahu might have challenged the court or tried to water down the basic law.

From The Daily Beast

Rescuers have already begun sending supplies and water down the hole.

From The Daily Beast

As moderate leaders, it is not our intent to water down the president's agenda.

From The Daily Beast

On coming out his skin would be shining like ebony, and he would squeal with pleasure as I rubbed water down his back.

From Project Gutenberg

At noon dined at home, and I by water down to Woolwich by a galley, and back again in the evening.

From Project Gutenberg

You carried two buckets of water down to him, and he thanked you when he drank it.

From Project Gutenberg

With the forest cover removed, there is nothing to obstruct the flow of water down the mountain sides.

From Project Gutenberg

Let me see, we left those two bad dogs pouring water down the hole, to get Uncle Wiggily out, didn't we?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• attenuate
• weaken