soften up

The phrase "soften up" is commonly used in various contexts to describe making something or someone more amenable, less resistant, or less severe.

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Definition

B1General

To make something less hard or firm.

Example

  • She softened up the butter by leaving it out of the fridge.

B2Persuasion

(informal)To make someone more receptive to an idea or request by being nice to them.

Example

  • He tried to soften up his boss with compliments before asking for a raise.

C1Military

(technical)To weaken the resistance or morale of an opponent before an attack.

Example

  • The troops were ordered to soften up the enemy positions with artillery fire.

B2Emotional

To become more gentle or sympathetic.

Example

  • Her expression softened up when she saw the puppy.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "soften up":

go softloosen uploosening upharden upease upfirm uplimber upsoften someone's coughlighten upwarm upsoft pointsmooth outsoft killgo easyfluff upsharpen uptighten upfluff outslacken offflex upsmooth overtake the chill offsoftly softlytone downstiff uptake the edge offrough upheat upsoft touchwarming uploose offopen upthin outfatten uplengthen upmelt someone's butter