dial it back
Reduce the intensity
To dial it back is to reduce intensity, enthusiasm, or aggression—to tone something down.
The image comes from turning a dial to lower settings: You need to dial it back a notch before you say something you'll regret.
Often used as gentle advice to someone getting too heated, too loud, or too extreme.
Sometimes shortened to dial back: She dialed back her criticism after seeing his reaction.
- tone downReduce intensity or volume
- tone it downDecrease intensity or volume
- ease upBecome less intense
- rein inLimit or control
- cool itCommand to calm down
cool your jets · simmer down · slow your roll · moderate · restrain · throttle · dampen · soften · mellow · temper · turn it down · chill · relax · unwind · adjust · calibrate · volume · knob
dial it backescalate
Increase in severity
ramp up · crank it up · turn it up · double down · intensify
dial it backlet loose
Remove restraints from
go all out · unleash · go wild · let it rip · cut loose
dial it backspeed up
Increase velocity or rate
accelerate · pick up the pace · step on it · get moving · hustle
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