Take the edge off

Meaning

The idiom "take the edge off" means to make something less sharp or intense. It can also mean to soften or mellow down an emotion, situation, or person. The figurative meaning of the idiom is to reduce stress, anxiety, pain, anger, or other negative emotions.

Usage

• The new job took the edge off my financial worries.
• He takes the edge off his jokes with a self-deprecating smile.
• The heat of the day had taken the edge off her anger.
• He likes to take the edge off his workouts with yoga and meditation.
• The new policy took the edge off the company's financial struggles. The usage of the idiom can vary depending on the context. For example, in a medical context, it may be used to describe a medication that takes the edge off pain or anxiety. In a social context, it may be used to describe a friend who takes the edge off a tense situation with their sense of humor.

Roots and History

The idiom "take the edge off" dates back to the 15th century in English. It comes from the phrase "to take the edge off a blade" which means to sharpen or hone the blade. Over time, the idiom evolved to mean to make something less sharp or intense. There are no known cultural or regional variations of this idiom.

Synonyms in English

• Soften
• Ease up
• Calm down
• Relax
• Take a breather

Synonyms in other languages

• 挫除 (Chinese, meaning to suppress or reduce)
• 消磨 (Japanese, meaning to diminish or wear out)
• קלה (Hebrew, meaning to soothe or calm)
• ص위자 (Korean, meaning to ease up or relax)
• אםדוער ןףבים (Yiddish, meaning to soften or mellow down)

Similar Idioms

• take on

• take a beating

• tit for tat