tone down

verb

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

   to tone down an argument

   to tone down a bright colour

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Related Words

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