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
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.
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Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
Their low-caf offerings contain between twenty-five and fifty percent caffeine, just enough to take the edge off the morning fog without launching you into a productivity vortex.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Small pleasures to take the edge off the realities of war – before the next operation.
—Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
Artists as creative as Ozzy, who grew up in Black Sabbath, need something to take the edge off.
—Sarah Grant, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for take the edge off
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Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
Their low-caf offerings contain between twenty-five and fifty percent caffeine, just enough to take the edge off the morning fog without launching you into a productivity vortex.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Small pleasures to take the edge off the realities of war – before the next operation.
—Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
Artists as creative as Ozzy, who grew up in Black Sabbath, need something to take the edge off.
—Sarah Grant, Rolling Stone, 23 July 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 29 Sep. 2025.
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