soft pedal
US /ˌsɑːftˈped.əl/
UK /ˌsɑːftˈped.əl/
1.
bagatelliseren, verzachten
to treat or describe something as less important, serious, or urgent than it really is
:
•
The government tried to soft-pedal the economic crisis.
De regering probeerde de economische crisis te bagatelliseren.
•
She decided to soft-pedal her criticism to avoid conflict.
Ze besloot haar kritiek te verzachten om conflicten te vermijden.