Soft-pedal

To downplay or minimize the importance, urgency, or seriousness of something; to treat an issue with less emphasis or intensity than it deserves, often to avoid confrontation or to pacify others.

Soft-pedal meaning with examples

• In his speech, the politician decided to soft-pedal his party's controversial policies, focusing instead on more palatable topics to appease the voters. By doing so, he hoped to win their trust without causing further backlash over the criticisms he had received.
• While discussing the company's financial struggles, the CEO chose to soft-pedal the severity of the situation. He emphasized the company's previous successes instead, encouraging employees to remain optimistic despite the underlying challenges.
• During the team meeting, the manager soft-pedaled the recent performance issues, suggesting that the team should focus on the bright spots rather than the failures. This approach was intended to maintain morale, but some employees felt it glossed over pressing problems.
• In her interview, the author soft-pedaled the criticism she had received for her latest novel, arguing that not all feedback was negative. This strategy allowed her to highlight positive reviews, thus maintaining her public image as a respected writer.
• When addressing the students about their declining grades, the teacher chose to soft-pedal the reality of their academic performance. By offering multiple reassurances and discussing ways to improve instead of emphasizing failures, she aimed to inspire her students.