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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

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 • Aug. 24, 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

“If you want to take advantage of the strength of the diaspora, then you have to tone down your rhetoric.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2025

He sucked languidly, one bone after another, and did not bother to tone down the slurpy sounds his mouth made.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

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