tone down

verb3

1. •
   To relax; to make quieter or less obtrusive; to make milder.

   • Ask them to tone down that orange and pink color scheme a bit.
   • I hope they’ll tone it down and stop arguing so much.
2. •
   To make a television program, piece of writing, etc. less offensive and so more suitable for a family audience.
3. •
   (figurative) To moderate or relax; to diminish or weaken the striking characteristics of; to soften.

   • “Well, I posted it, and I wouldn’t have posted it if I didn’t kind of believe it,” said Mr. Prevost, who added that he would “probably tone it down” now that his brother was the Vicar of Jesus Christ. — 2025