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]

Example Sentences

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

For his sole Fourth of July column, he urged people to tone down their pomp and circumstance and to relate to their fellow Americans rather than “to fixed ideas that apparently are not working.”

From Los Angeles Times

In his letter, the ambassador called on Macron to tone down his criticism of Israel and outlined examples of antisemitism which he said had "long scarred French life".

From BBC

Jack Harbaugh warned him on multiple occasions, telling him he wouldn’t play unless he toned down his language.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, as a 34-year-old, Stokes has toned down the training, still there is nothing that can hold him back in the heat of battle.

From BBC

Related Words

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