soft-pedal
verb [I or T] /ˌsɒftˈped.əl/
/ˌsɑːft-/ (-ll- or US usually -l-)Definition
› to make something seem less important or less bad than it really is: This is a rather sensitive issue - I think we'd better soft-pedal it for the moment.Exaggerating and playing downPraising and applauding
(Definition of soft-pedal verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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Synonyms and related words:
- alarmist adjective
- alarmist noun
- be stretching it idiom
- drama queen noun
- dramatize verb (MAKE EXCITING)
- exaggerate verb
- exaggeration noun
- grandiloquent adjective
- inflate verb (MAKE LARGER)
- lay it on a bit thick idiom
- make little of sth idiom
- minimize verb
- OTT adjective
- over-egg the pudding idiom
- overrate verb
- overstatement noun
- pad sth out phrasal verb
- talk sth up phrasal verb
- underrate verb
- undersell verb (BE MODEST)
Topic:
Exaggerating & playing down
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