took the edge off
Made less intense
Took the edge off means reduced the intensity of something unpleasant—hunger, pain, anxiety, craving.
The edge is the sharpest part of the discomfort: A snack took the edge off my hunger.
Often used with alcohol or medication: A drink took the edge off her nerves.
The relief is partial rather than complete—you're still hungry or anxious, just less acutely so.
- numbLacking physical sensation
- sootheGently ease discomfort
- temperState of mind
- assuageRelieve or calm
- moderateLessen intensity or preside
dial it back · mitigate · dull · alleviate · calm · cushion · mollify · unwound · blunted · lighten · ease · mellowed · soften · file down · relax · wind down · smooth over · relieve
took the edge offintensified
Made more extreme
sharpened · heightened · amplified · aggravated · exacerbated
took the edge offaggravated
Intensified or vexed
rubbed salt in the wound · twisted the knife · worsened · added insult to injury · compounded