take the edge off sth

/tˈeɪk ðɪ ˈɛdʒ ˈɒf ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ/

/tˈeɪk ðɪ ˈɛdʒ ˈɔf ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ/

[phrase]

to take the edge off sth

[PHRASE]

to make something, particularly something unpleasant, less severe or intense

Examples

1. His apology took the edge off her anger.

2. Have an apple - it'll take the edge off your hunger.

3. Stress neurotransmitters in the brain are much less active during the REM stage of sleep, even during dreams of traumatic experiences, leading some researchers to theorize that one purpose of dreaming is to take the edge off painful experiences to allow for psychological healing.

4. But Harley doesn't have the salve of a billion-dollar fortune or some over-powered superhero skills to take the edge off his shoddy home life.