soft touch

American  

noun

Informal.

1. a person who is easily convinced, especially to give or lend money.

   a soft touch for charities.

2. a person who is easily influenced, duped, or imposed upon.

   a soft touch for anybody with a sob story.

3. a person, team, etc., that is easily defeated.

   They're a soft touch for any team in the league.

4. a task or activity that is easily or quickly done, especially a job that pays well and requires little work.

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soft touch British  

noun

1. informal a person easily persuaded or imposed on, esp to lend money

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soft touch Idioms  

1. Someone easily persuaded or taken advantage of, especially in giving away money. For example, Ask Dan for the money; he's always a soft touch. [First half of 1900s]

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Etymology

Origin of soft touch

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

It may also cause them to see you as a soft touch who they can tap for money at any time, and who feels obliged to give.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

As a writer, Hughes was gifted with a heavy hand and a soft touch.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

They didn’t intend to subsidize the state’s soft touch.

From Slate • Jun. 19, 2025

Avichal said the mission requires brute force but also a soft touch, as when an elderly woman in Altadena recently asked a cleanup crew for a personal treasure buried in her home’s rubble.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2025

And very slowly under that soft touch Ged roused.

From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin