take the edge off

Idioms  

1. Ease or assuage, make less severe, as in That snack took the edge off our hunger, or Her kind manner took the edge off her refusal. This term alludes to blunting the edge of a cutting instrument. Shakespeare used it figuratively in The Tempest (4:1): “To take away the edge of that day's celebration.” The precise wording of the idiom dates from the first half of the 1900s.

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Example Sentences

Stellantis tries to take the edge off for workers hoofing it from outer perimeter lots, shuttling them in from some locations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

A decline in inflation expectations tends to be associated with the possibility of a weaker economy, which would theoretically take the edge off price pressures.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 17, 2025

The National Weather Service says the smoke may be thick enough to impact temperatures, and potentially take the edge off what should be Portland and Vancouver’s hottest day of the week.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 19, 2023

But, while feeling less alone with your Face Hate might take the edge off, you still may be cringing at your reflection.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2023

He wasn’t all that thirsty but he thought the water might help to take the edge off his hunger.

From "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• abate
• curtail
• decrease
• dilute
• diminish
• dwindle
• ease
• erode
• impair
• lighten
• minimize
• mitigate
• narrow
• shrink
• slacken
• weaken