TONE DOWN Definition & Meaning

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tone down

verb

adverb to moderate or become moderated in tone
to tone down a bright colour
to tone down an argument

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Idioms and Phrases

Make less vivid, harsh, or violent; moderate. For example, That's a little too much rouge; I'd tone it down a bit , or Do you think I should tone down this letter of complaint? This idiom uses tone in the sense of “adjust the tone or quality of something,” as does the antonym, tone up , meaning “brighten or strengthen.” For example, These curtains will tone up the whole room , or This exercise is said to tone up the triceps . [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Playing the Other Stage will release her from the requirement to tone down her set for audiences on BBC One, and indulge in the frenetic, hedonistic club sounds that made her name.

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And in many ways, this story is even toned down — there are ones that are 100 times worse than what you’re witnessing.

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During her time in politics, Badenoch has gained a reputation for being blunt - but speaking to BBC Newscast last year before becoming leader, she said she might have to tone down her approach.

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Newsom tried to tone down his message, trading his offensive posture for a narrative about defending the state’s values, while he talked about affordability in the weeks after the election.

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Jones said: "You are being overly descriptive, and I think verging on not being totally respectful of the victim at this point. So, can you tone down the rhetoric slightly?"

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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