Soft Pedal

This tendency for physicians to soft-pedal bad news appears to be common. ❋ Ph.D. Joseph Nowinski (2012)

Chancellor Merkel had said before Wen's arrival that she would not soft-pedal human rights issues despite Germany's desire for increased economic cooperation with China. ❋ Unknown (2011)

The Giants' run game hasn't looked good all year, but it's definitely stalled without Bradshaw, and Coughlin didn't soft-pedal in saying his starting running back's return would be a big spark "for sure." ❋ Aditi Kinkhabwala (2011)

I am asking for evidence that secular historians think that the Gospels are "fraudulent" and that they wish to "soft peddle" (soft-pedal?) the term. ❋ Unknown (2009)

(This production seems almost at times to soft-pedal the work's hostility toward American institutions; a vigorously up-tempo version of the song slamming flag-worship, "Don't Put It Down," obscures the number's acidic tone.) ❋ Peter Marks (2010)

Wow, talk about a serious soft-pedal of a potentially serious conflict of interest, Zach. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Yet, the police soft-pedal Mike's offense, or wash it out completely. ❋ Norm Stamper (2011)

Olegt: I am asking for evidence that secular historians think that the Gospels are "fraudulent" and that they wish to "soft peddle" (soft-pedal?) the term. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Mr. Manchin bridles at the idea he would ever soft-pedal criticism out of party loyalty. ❋ Janet Hook (2011)

The consequences are evident in the way we are now compelled to soft-pedal American principles to avoid offending our financial benefactors, most notably China. ❋ Judy Shelton (2010)

Not that he believed for one instant that it was better to soft-pedal the truth for the sake of appearances. ❋ Sidney D. Kirkpatrick (2010)

This conversation could go very badly, and Anya tried to soft-pedal it. ❋ Laura Bickle (2010)

But I forced myself to soft-pedal the news I began to give my kids, saying only that there had been some complications and they were doing further tests. ❋ Louis Diaz (2010)