soft touch

American

noun

Informal.

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

a soft touch for charities.
a person who is easily influenced, duped, or imposed upon.

a soft touch for anybody with a sob story.
a person, team, etc., that is easily defeated.

They're a soft touch for any team in the league.
a task or activity that is easily or quickly done, especially a job that pays well and requires little work.

soft touch British

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

soft touch Idioms

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]

Etymology

Origin of soft touch

First recorded in 1935–40

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.

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

It wants to be seen to be taking welfare reform seriously and not be seen as a "soft touch" – by some voters and a more hostile tabloid press.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2024

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

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023