take the sting out of

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Lessen the severity or unpleasantness of something, as in That senior citizen discount took the sting out of the airfares. [Mid-1800s]

Words nearby take the sting out of

take the plunge, take the pulse of, take the rap, take the rough with the smooth, take the starch out of, take the sting out of, take the trouble, take the wind out of one's sails, take the words out of someone's mouth, take the wrong way, take to

Words related to take the sting out of

pacify, mollify, assuage, unburden, alleviate, mitigate, ease, lessen, soften, soothe, dilute, restrain, abate, curb, allay, cool, weaken, balm, relieve, quiet