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

He was asked to tone down things, to sometimes “talk through” lyrics and to generally make the music more dramatic for the screen.

From Los Angeles Times

It was toned down, but not before an actor made a joke about the show being educational.

From Los Angeles Times

While joy has not received the same attention from research psychologists as the more toned down emotion of happiness, there is evidence that joy can lead to increased creativity and greater psychological resilience.

From Los Angeles Times

Once that toned down, she emanated, through happiness and sorrow, alike, commanding opulence.

From Los Angeles Times

A succession of terrible hairdos effectively tones down Ms. Sweeney’s good looks, but she’s still recognizable, and more charmingly eager than she has ever been before.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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