tone down

British  

verb

1. (adverb) to moderate or become moderated in tone

   to tone down an argument

   to tone down a bright colour

---

tone down Idioms  

1. Make less vivid, harsh, or violent; moderate. For example, That's a little too much rouge; I'd tone it down a bit, or Do you think I should tone down this letter of complaint? This idiom uses tone in the sense of “adjust the tone or quality of something,” as does the antonym, tone up, meaning “brighten or strengthen.” For example, These curtains will tone up the whole room, or This exercise is said to tone up the triceps. [Mid-1800s]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tone down

While the first day of their summit was light on concrete deals, the overarching take is that both countries are eager to tone down their economic rivalry.

From Barron's ● May 14, 2026

Its makers are adding ways to tone down plans some users found to be too aggressive.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 8, 2026

He was asked to tone down things, to sometimes “talk through” lyrics and to generally make the music more dramatic for the screen.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2025

Lasnik also received a pizza delivered in the name of Salas’ son after he called on Trump and his supporters to tone down the rhetoric directed toward the federal courts.

From Salon ● Aug. 1, 2025

“You know, May’s not here. You can tone down the whole noble prince thing. Besides, you’re probably a bit more useful to them alive than dead.”

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley

Related Words

• dampen
• dim
• mitigate
• modulate
• play down
• restrain
• soften
• temper