To tone down

To tone down
Tone Tone, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Toned}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Toning}.] 1. To utter with an affected tone. [1913 Webster]

2. To give tone, or a particular tone, to; to tune. See {Tune}, v. t. [1913 Webster]

3. (Photog.) To bring, as a print, to a certain required shade of color, as by chemical treatment. [1913 Webster]

{To tone down}. (a) To cause to give lower tone or sound; to give a lower tone to. (b) (Paint.) To modify, as color, by making it less brilliant or less crude; to modify, as a composition of color, by making it more harmonius. [1913 Webster]

Its thousand hues toned down harmoniusly. --C. Kingsley. [1913 Webster] (c) Fig.: To moderate or relax; to diminish or weaken the striking characteristics of; to soften. [1913 Webster]

The best method for the purpose in hand was to employ some one of a character and position suited to get possession of their confidence, and then use it to tone down their religious strictures. --Palfrey. [1913 Webster]

{To tone up}, to cause to give a higher tone or sound; to give a higher tone to; to make more intense; to heighten; to strengthen. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • tone down something — tone down (something) to make something less forceful or offensive. The foul language in the original play has been toned down for television. Your presentation has to be convincing, so don t tone it down …   New idioms dictionary

  • tone down — (something) to make something less forceful or offensive. The foul language in the original play has been toned down for television. Your presentation has to be convincing, so don t tone it down …   New idioms dictionary

  • tone down — [v] moderate chill out*, cloud, dampen, darken, deepen, dim, mitigate, modulate, play down, reduce, restrain, shade, sober, soften, soft pedal*, subdue, temper; concept 240 Ant. aggravate, increase, raise …   New thesaurus

  • tone down — index allay, commute, diminish, moderate (temper), modify (moderate), mollify, subdue …   Law dictionary

  • tone down — verb 1. deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping • Syn: ↑muffle, ↑mute, ↑dull, ↑damp, ↑dampen • Derivationally related forms: ↑damper (for: ↑damp …   Useful english dictionary

  • tone down — 1) PHRASAL VERB If you tone down something that you have written or said, you make it less forceful, severe, or offensive. [V P n (not pron)] The fiery right wing leader toned down his militant statements after the meeting... [V P n (not pron)]… …   English dictionary

  • tone down — phrasal verb [transitive] Word forms tone down : present tense I/you/we/they tone down he/she/it tones down present participle toning down past tense toned down past participle toned down 1) to make something less severe, shocking, or offensive… …   English dictionary

  • tone down — verb a) To relax; to make quieter or less obtrusive; to make milder. Ask them to tone down that orange and pink color scheme a bit. b) To make a television program, piece of writing, etc. less offensive and so more suitable for a family audience …   Wiktionary

  • tone down — {v.} To make softer or quieter; make less harsh or strong; moderate. * /He toned down the sound of the TV./ * /She wanted the bright colors in her house toned down./ * /When the ladies arrived, he toned down his language./ * /The strikers were… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • tone down — {v.} To make softer or quieter; make less harsh or strong; moderate. * /He toned down the sound of the TV./ * /She wanted the bright colors in her house toned down./ * /When the ladies arrived, he toned down his language./ * /The strikers were… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • tone\ down — v To make softer or quieter; make less harsh or strong; moderate. He toned down the sound of the TV. She wanted the bright colors in her house toned down. When the ladies arrived, he toned down his language. The strikers were asked to tone down… …   Словарь американских идиом

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