soft-pedal
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soft-pedal
- /ˌsɒf(t)ˈpɛdl̩/ UK
- /ˈsɔf(t)ˌpɛdəl/ US
- /ˈsɑf(t)-/ US
Rhymes with (RP pronunciation) -ɛdəl
Where it comes from
From soft pedal (“leftmost foot-pedal on most pianos which, when pushed, dampens the strings and so softens the note played”, noun).
verb soft-pedals · soft-pedaling · soft-pedalling · soft-pedaled · soft-pedalled
- To reduce the volume of (music, a sound, etc.).
-
To reduce the force or impact of (something); to damp, to mute; especially, to minimize the less desirable aspects of (something); to play down, to tone down.
But when the first female also-ran at a convention merits such hoopla and hosannas, then it is harder for viewers to understand why the Democrats seem intent on soft-pedaling their presumptive nominee's arguably more remarkable breakthrough.
Similar: de-emphasize, downplay · Opposite: emphasize, highlight, spotlight
- To attempt to persuade someone about (something) through understatement, so that the listener accepts the good points as obvious.
- Chiefly followed by on: to act in a less assertive or forceful manner.
Translations
Every language
verb to reduce the force or impact of (something) — see also damp, mute
| Français | mettre la pédale douce |
|---|---|
| Deutsch | herunterspielen |
| Italiano | sottacere |
verb to attempt to persuade someone about (something) through understatement
| Italiano | abbindolare |
|---|
Talk about this word "soft-pedal." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/soft-pedal. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. soft-pedal. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/soft-pedal "soft-pedal." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/soft-pedal.Cite this
@misc{soft_pedal_2026,
title = {soft-pedal},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/soft-pedal},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
