soft-pedal
To reduce the volume ofTo reduce the volume of (music, a sound, etc.).
Meaning
4 senses(transitive)To reduce the volume of (music, a sound, etc.).
(figuratively, transitive)To reduce the force or impact of (something); to damp, to mute; especially, to minimize the less desirable aspects of (something); to play down, to tone down.
herunterspielen
play down or obscure
(figuratively, transitive)To attempt to persuade someone about (something) through understatement, so that the listener accepts the good points as obvious.
(figuratively, intransitive)Chiefly followed by on: to act in a less assertive or forceful manner.
Translations
3 languagesBy meaning 1
Origin
From soft pedal (“leftmost foot-pedal on most pianos which, when pushed, dampens the strinFrom soft pedal (“leftmost foot-pedal on most pianos which, when pushed, dampens the strings and so softens the note played”, noun).
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Forms
soft-pedals, soft-pedaling, soft-pedaled, soft-pedaled| Base form | soft-pedal · to soft-pedal |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | soft-pedals |
| Present participle | soft-pedaling |
| Past simple | soft-pedaled / soft-pedalled |
| Past participle | soft-pedaled / soft-pedalled |
regular · Lesson
Synonyms
2 synonymsAntonyms
3 antonymsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle