Take the edge off

Posted by ESC September 13, 2008 at 00:12In reply to Take the edge off posted by Victoria S Dennis on September 12, 2008 at 17:14:

Can anybody tell me the meaning of phrase "take the edge off"?

The "edge" in this metaphor is the sharpened edge of a blade. To "take the edge off" a blade is to blunt it. So metaphorically, you can take the edge off any number of things: happiness, pleasure, excitement, and so on. (VSD)

Like add sugar to bitter coffee to take the edge off. After giving someone really bad news, take him to Disney World. Soften the blow. Mitigate.