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

For a while, they thought maybe their new neighbor just had a soft touch, and a large heart.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

He told BBC Scotland News that he had plans to fix the NHS, get young people into work and to end a "soft touch" approach to justice.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

In a nation of noisy confrontationalists—the skillful soft touch replaced by the swing of a folding chair—reason is routinely drowned out by the loudest voices in the room.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

Gov. Andy Beshear often seems like a soft touch.

From Salon • Oct. 21, 2024

The soft touch of a gentle paw on his back caused him to look around.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques