water down

British  

verb

1. to dilute or weaken with water

2. to modify or adulterate, esp so as to omit anything harsh, unpleasant, or offensive

   to water down the truth

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water down Idioms  

1. Dilute or weaken, as in He watered down that unfavorable report with feeble excuses. [Mid-1800s]

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Other Word Forms

• watered-down adjective

Example Sentences

Members of the European Parliament on Nov. 13 passed a tranche of climate regulations after they were watered down from their original form.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, some business groups have expressed concern at the plans, while others have argued that the government has watered down or delayed certain elements to try to keep both employers and employees happy.

From BBC

I’ve had zero patience for people who try to water down their response to #MeToo by saying, “Don’t people get to flirt anymore? Don’t they get to smile at each other? Can’t you compliment someone?”

From Salon

In the affirmative action trial, Harvard said that Mr. Kahlenberg’s model would produce too little diversity, and water down academic quality.

From New York Times

If after the April recess Mr. Netanyahu waters down — let alone cancels — the judicial overhaul, he risks an irrevocable break with the far-right parties that give him a majority in Parliament.

From New York Times

Related Words

• attenuate
• weaken