Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
to soften the blow
idiom
/tə ˈsɒfən ðə bloʊ/
Definition
To make a difficult or painful situation less harsh or severe.
Examples
- She tried to soften the blow by telling him the good news first.
- The manager used a kind approach to soften the blow when announcing layoffs.
- To soften the blow of his rejection, she offered to remain friends.
Meaning
This phrase is often used when someone is trying to ease the impact of bad news or a negative outcome, making it more palatable to the person receiving it.
Synonyms
- alleviate
- ease
- mitigate
