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

See Examples For:

tone down

Observer missions, including the European Union, called on parties to tone down inflammatory statements ahead of final results, due on Monday.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

Also on its front page, the PM has been told to "tone down his 'blokeish' videos", including one that rated pub snacks.

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026

Plaza says that Waters is known for being provocative and loves reading tabloids but that he asked to tone down Armando’s snide put-downs of celebrities.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2026

A longtime coach would have told him to tone down such commentary, but oh right: Alcaraz released his longtime coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, a few weeks ago.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 2, 2026

Lower your voice, tone down your clothes, turn off that music.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

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