take the edge off
idiom
: to make (something) weaker or less severe
a medication that takes the edge off the pain
A glass of milk will take the edge off your hunger/appetite.
Examples of take the edge off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hot cocoa, tea or coffee can take the edge off the chill, as well as provide a slight stimulus.
—
Joe Rao, Space.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Gift sets are available that include various gear options, as well as a bottle of whiskey to take the edge off.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Popular drugs credited with shrinking waistlines and controlling blood sugar may also take the edge off alcohol’s buzz, according to a new study.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
To learn tough lessons and slug through ugly film sessions from the left side of the ledger, a spoonful of sugar to take the edge off dozens of sure-to-be-bitter clips across all three phases.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take the edge off
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Joe Rao, Space.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Gift sets are available that include various gear options, as well as a bottle of whiskey to take the edge off.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Popular drugs credited with shrinking waistlines and controlling blood sugar may also take the edge off alcohol’s buzz, according to a new study.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
To learn tough lessons and slug through ugly film sessions from the left side of the ledger, a spoonful of sugar to take the edge off dozens of sure-to-be-bitter clips across all three phases.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take the edge off
Cite this Entry
“Take the edge off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20the%20edge%20off. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share