dialling back
Easing off from
Dialling back means reducing intensity, scale, or commitment—pulling something back from where it was.
You might dial back your enthusiasm, your rhetoric, or your expectations.
The image is of turning a dial counterclockwise to lower a setting.
The spelling with double L is British; American English uses *dialing back*.
- pump the brakesUrge caution or restraint
- decreaseBecome or make smaller
- restrainLimit freedom of movement
- softenMake less firm
- tone it downDecrease intensity or volume
lessen · tone down · regulate · mitigate · diminish · moderate · scale down · temper · abate · ease off · ease up · rein in · de-escalate · recalibrate · control · minimize · curtail · suppress
dialling backramping up
Progressively increasing in scale
cranking up · turning up · stepping up · escalating · intensifying
dialling backdoubling down
Strengthening a risky commitment
leaning in · going all in · stepping up · diving in · pushing forward
dialling backramping up
Progressively increasing in scale
turning up the heat · escalating · inflaming · stoking · fanning the flames
dial, dialling, dialing, dialled, dialed, dials, dialer, back, backs