soften up

To make someone less strict or hard to deal with so they'll agree with you more easily.

"She brought him his favourite meal to soften him up before asking for a pay rise."

Hear it in context

BEST BETS: 2026 Truist Championship Picks, Odds, One & Done | The Early Wedge

SportsLine · 13:03

soften up the course a little bit.

OverDrive Live - May 06

TSN · 77:11

The Atlantic is not going to soften up.

Joe Rogan Experience #2515 - Chase Hughes

PowerfulJRE · 140:15

All of a sudden they soften up on stances.

[Co-Stream] Call of Duty League Major III Qualifiers | Week 3 Day 2

Call of Duty · 240:37

two-piece to sort of soften up the push.

Unexpected Strawberry Recipes | Anthony Bourdain's The Mind of a Chef | Full Episode

PBS Food · 9:12

And I'm hoping that they will soften up

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