tone down
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verb
(adverb) to moderate or become moderated in toneto tone down an argument; to tone down a bright colour
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Words nearby tone down
tone color, tone colour, tone control, tone-deaf, tone dialing, tone down, tone language, toneless, toneme, tone painting, tone poem
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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How to use tone down in a sentence
Other Idioms and Phrases with tone down
tone down
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]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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