cushion/soften the blow
idiom
: to make one's disappointment less painful
She was disappointed not to get the job, but the promise of another job cushioned/softened the blow.
Examples of cushion/soften the blow in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There was widespread fraud during the pandemic as the U.S. government provided billions in aid intended to soften the blow of economic disruptions linked to COVID-19.
—
Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 13 June 2024
But Russia would then face an even sharper increase in the cost of refined products, only with lower export revenues to cushion the blow.
—Michael Liebreich, Foreign Affairs, 8 May 2024
The Huskies coach wears his pessimism like a badge of honor to soften the blow when a season ends short of that ultimate goal, a blow always stings a bit more after so many years of accomplishing it over and over again.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2024
Leo, her brother and a 15-year-old sophomore at the school, wanted to soften the blow.
—Joe Sexton, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cushion/soften the blow 
Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 13 June 2024
But Russia would then face an even sharper increase in the cost of refined products, only with lower export revenues to cushion the blow.
—Michael Liebreich, Foreign Affairs, 8 May 2024
The Huskies coach wears his pessimism like a badge of honor to soften the blow when a season ends short of that ultimate goal, a blow always stings a bit more after so many years of accomplishing it over and over again.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2024
Leo, her brother and a 15-year-old sophomore at the school, wanted to soften the blow.
—Joe Sexton, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cushion/soften the blow
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cushion/soften the blow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cushion/soften the blow
Cite this Entry
“Cushion/soften the blow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cushion%2Fsoften%20the%20blow. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share