Watered Down

Blauer Heinrich—blue Henry—people called the watered-down milk they’d come to associate with the war, and when the boy drank, he swallowed so hard that Trudi could hear him. ❋ Ursula Hegi (1994)

Though often criticized as offering a “watered-down” version of Christianity, Warren dismisses this critique. ❋ Robert D. Putnam (2010)

As a result, watered-down agreements have ceased to offer any net gains that would justify long, complex and costly negotiations. ❋ Anu Bradford (2011)

It's the danger of indulging Hollywood with a cuddly, watered-down version of Ricky Gervais, who keeps it in its comfort zone. ❋ Danny Groner (2011)

Obama and Company are going to give us a watered-down health care plan that will serve few and be paid for by all of us. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Trade ministers have agreed to meet in Geneva in December to wrap up a watered-down version of the Doha round. ❋ John W. Miller (2011)

Whatever issue you care to name, from childhood obesity (linked to agribusiness subsidies) to war (linked to the power of the military-industrial complex), from a watered-down health care bill (linked big pharma and health insurance corporations), to a failing economy (which Wall Street and corporations have depleted in favor of global speculation), the power of the one percent is at the root of the problem. ❋ Sarah Van Gelder (2011)

Maybe someone should ask Olympia Snowe whether she would vote for a bill with watered-down protection for pre-existing conditions. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Perhaps this wouldn't be such a problem if NASA PAO actually did their job and informed the public with what is going on with their billions of dollars instead of feeding everybody watered-down useless information that is already old. ❋ Unknown (2009)

I don't think he's trying to sell a watered-down version of the Gospel so that he can make a name for himself, as some of his more cynical critics claim. ❋ Carl Medearis (2011)

Insist that House leadership ALLOW A VOTE on the Stupak/Pitts Amendment to prohibit abortion funding (and no other watered-down substitution like the Ellsworth Amendment). ❋ Unknown (2009)

I absolutely loved the book, but the adaptation tried so hard to be faithful to the source that it ended up a watered-down, incomprehensible mess. ❋ Unknown (2009)

The planned mineral resources rent tax is a watered-down version of an originally proposed so-called super profits tax, which ran into a storm of opposition after it was unveiled in May 2010, eventually contributing to the downfall of then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. ❋ Enda Curran (2011)

[Arizona] is like a [watered down] version of [Australia]. ❋ Enviro (2020)

[Tim's] inability to get off [the wall] at the [school dance] made his game way watered down. ❋ Cameron Jaymes (2007)

[Eva] you look [watered down], like I know you’re fully [Peruvian] but you look like you might be half Caucasian ❋ Reime705 (2019)

"Why do you always date [watered down] [hipsters]?" "Because they are super [laid back] and adorable and then I have someone to go to obscure indie shows with!" ❋ Amandabeck47 (2015)

I was [eating] [my girlfriend] out last night and she gave me a Watered Down Sundae. Oh dude [gross]! ❋ Nofudgeplz69 (2010)

[shaney]@hboilers.[com] has such a squritley watered down mustache. he looks like [hes] 4! ❋ Harmicar (2008)

[You're a] [watered down gay] ❋ Closet Nazi 2112 (2019)

He's just [ranting] [watered down] phrases again [ignore] him! ❋ Type2GenomeManiac (2017)

She’s as [blind] as my watered-down 16-year-old aged Siamese bald cat and [looks like] it too. ❋ Electrobaalsword (2021)

[I think] she had [too much] falling down water ❋ Anonymous Coward (2006)