soft on
Idioms-
Attracted to or emotionally involved with, as in He's been soft on Margaret for years . This usage was first recorded in 1840.
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Not stern, lenient, especially too much so. For example, Some think the court has been soft on violent protesters . This usage was first recorded in 1883.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Orban’s government may also have been soft on environmental and labor questions.
From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026
Toward the end of Elizabeth II’s reign, critics argued that the queen had been too soft on her son Andrew.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026
Retaining Tisch, largely popular with moderates and business leaders, was viewed by some as Mamdani's way to allay concerns he would be soft on crime.
From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026
And, sure, if you squint, maybe the foot traffic at the Luxor looks a little soft on a Wednesday.
From Slate • Nov. 18, 2025
I take them quickly, my heart racing, my leather shoes soft on the stone.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
