tone down

British  

verb

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

   to tone down an argument

   to tone down a bright colour

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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]

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Example Sentences

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

But for that to happen leaders, both civilian and military, in both countries need to tone down the uncompromising nationalist rhetoric which now characterises their dispute.

From BBC • Sep. 7, 2025

Whatever happens, I don’t believe for a second that we’ll see Stewart back down, Meyers pull his punches in his “Closer Look” segments, or Kimmel tone down his monologues.

From Salon • Jul. 20, 2025

“At this point, there’s no point in trying to tone down our voices,” said Flores, whose parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles became U.S. citizens through President Reagan’s 1986 amnesty.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 11, 2025

Maybe I needed to tone down my part in it, become more responsible, listen to Mamá—wash some dishes or do some laundry for a change.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

Related Words

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