take the sting out of
US /teɪk ðə stɪŋ aʊt əv/
UK /teɪk ðə stɪŋ aʊt əv/
1.
減輕痛苦, 緩和影響
to make something unpleasant less severe or painful
:
•
The apology helped to take the sting out of his harsh words.
道歉有助於減輕他嚴厲言辭的傷害。
•
A small bonus helped to take the sting out of the pay cut.
一筆小獎金有助於減輕減薪的痛苦。