soften someone up
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soften someone up — soften (someone/something) up to weaken someone or something. Constant bombing was designed to soften the enemy up and weaken him. The ads were just a way to soften up public opinion to accept a big price increase … New idioms dictionary
soften someone/thing up — undermine the resistance of. → soften … English new terms dictionary
soften up — 1. To lessen resistance in (informal) 2. To wear down by continuous shelling and bombing • • • Main Entry: ↑soft * * * ˌsoften ˈup [transitive] [present tense … Useful english dictionary
soften something up — soften (someone/something) up to weaken someone or something. Constant bombing was designed to soften the enemy up and weaken him. The ads were just a way to soften up public opinion to accept a big price increase … New idioms dictionary
soften up — soften (someone/something) up to weaken someone or something. Constant bombing was designed to soften the enemy up and weaken him. The ads were just a way to soften up public opinion to accept a big price increase … New idioms dictionary
soften up — PHRASAL VERB If you soften someone up, you put them into a good mood before asking them to do something. [INFORMAL] [V n P] If they d treated you well it was just to soften you up. [Also V P n (not pron)] Syn: butter up … English dictionary
soften — verb 1》 make or become soft or softer. 2》 (often soften someone/thing up) undermine the resistance of. Derivatives softener noun … English new terms dictionary
soften — soft|en [ sɔfn ] verb * 1. ) intransitive or transitive to become softer or to make something softer: Simmer gently until the apple has softened. If the mixture is too hard you will need to soften it. 2. ) intransitive or transitive to become… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
soften — soft|en [ˈsɔfən US ˈso: ] v [I and T] 1.) also soften up to become less hard or rough, or make something less hard or rough ≠ ↑harden ▪ Use moisturizer to soften your skin. ▪ Cook until the onion softens. 2.) if your attitude softens, or if… … Dictionary of contemporary English
soften */ — UK [ˈsɒf(ə)n] / US [ˈsɔf(ə)n] verb Word forms soften : present tense I/you/we/they soften he/she/it softens present participle softening past tense softened past participle softened 1) [intransitive/transitive] to become softer, or to make… … English dictionary
