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

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

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

Lasnik also received a pizza delivered in the name of Salas’ son after he called on Trump and his supporters to tone down the rhetoric directed toward the federal courts.

From Salon • Aug. 1, 2025

I tried to tone down the relief so she wouldn’t get her feelings hurt.

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

Related Words

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