take the edge off
idiom
: to make (something) weaker or less severe
a medication that takes the edge off the pain
A glass of milk will take the edge off your hunger/appetite.
Examples of take the edge off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In New York, that was another era, thanks to universal pre-K for 4-year-olds — a tremendous offering that helps take the edge off child-care expenses, and ensure that more kids are ready for school.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 May 2024
Thanks to the eastern outlook, the ocean-side rooms offer access to the most spectacular sunrises, which take the edge off any jet lag.
—Harriet Marsden, The Week Uk, theweek, 26 Feb. 2024
Here's How to Style Them MK: But people do want to have that little celebratory glass of wine or champagne, some people need to take the edge off, it shouldn’t be taken away entirely.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2023
While grabbing a boozy beverage can help take the edge off, make sure to pace yourself.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 7 May 2024
Fly fishing, tubing, rafting, and kayaking will get you out on the Toccoa River, and a selection of nearby breweries and wineries take the edge off an otherwise warm day.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2024
Alcohol doesn’t take the edge off; alcohol is the edge.
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2024
An appointment at a luxury department store can take the edge off.
—Lucy Alexander, Robb Report, 17 Dec. 2023
Enter: scrolling TikTok for hours, binging reruns of a comfort show, or reaching for some vice or another to take the edge off.
—Anna Borges, SELF, 21 Dec. 2023
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 May 2024
Thanks to the eastern outlook, the ocean-side rooms offer access to the most spectacular sunrises, which take the edge off any jet lag.
—Harriet Marsden, The Week Uk, theweek, 26 Feb. 2024
Here's How to Style Them MK: But people do want to have that little celebratory glass of wine or champagne, some people need to take the edge off, it shouldn’t be taken away entirely.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2023
While grabbing a boozy beverage can help take the edge off, make sure to pace yourself.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 7 May 2024
Fly fishing, tubing, rafting, and kayaking will get you out on the Toccoa River, and a selection of nearby breweries and wineries take the edge off an otherwise warm day.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2024
Alcohol doesn’t take the edge off; alcohol is the edge.
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2024
An appointment at a luxury department store can take the edge off.
—Lucy Alexander, Robb Report, 17 Dec. 2023
Enter: scrolling TikTok for hours, binging reruns of a comfort show, or reaching for some vice or another to take the edge off.
—Anna Borges, SELF, 21 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take the edge off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near take the edge off
Cite this Entry
“Take the edge off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20the%20edge%20off. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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