What is the origin of the idiom "take the edge off" and when to use it?

The idiom "take the edge off" comes from the idea of smoothing or dulling the sharp or uncomfortable parts of something, making it more tolerable or less intense. It is often used metaphorically to describe the act of reducing the intensity or severity of a situation, emotion, or experience. People use this phrase to mean lessening the severity or intensity of something, often with the aim of making it more manageable or more enjoyable.