take the sting out of
US /teɪk ðə stɪŋ aʊt əv/
UK /teɪk ðə stɪŋ aʊt əv/
1.
to make something unpleasant less severe or painful
:
•
The apology helped to take the sting out of his harsh words.
•
A small bonus helped to take the sting out of the pay cut.