| 单词 | soften |
| 释义 | soften (sɒfən , US sɔːf- ) Word forms: softens , softening , softened 1. verb If you soften something or if it softens, it becomes less hard, stiff, or firm. Soften the butter mixture in a small saucepan. [VERB noun] Fry for about 4 minutes, until the onion has softened. [VERB] Synonyms: melt, tenderize 2. verb If one thing softens the damaging effect of another thing, it makes the effect less severe. There were also pledges to soften the impact of the subsidy cuts on the poorer regions. [VERB noun] He could not think how to soften the blow of what he had to tell her. [VERB noun] Synonyms: lessen, moderate, diminish, temper 3. verb If you soften your position, if your position softens, or if you soften, you become more sympathetic and less hostile or critical towards someone or something. The letter shows no sign that the Americans have softened their position. [VERB noun] His party's policy has softened a lot in recent years. [VERB] Livy felt herself soften towards Caroline. [VERB] 4. verb If your voice or expression softens or if you soften it, it becomes much more gentle and friendly. All at once, Mick's serious expression softened into a grin. [VERB] She did not smile or soften her voice. [VERB noun] 5. verb If you soften something such as light, a colour, or a sound, you make it less bright or harsh. We wanted to soften the light without destroying the overall effect of space. [VERB noun] Stark concrete walls have been softened by a show of fresh flowers. [VERB noun] 6. verb Something that softens your skin makes it very smooth and pleasant to touch. ...products designed to moisturize and soften the skin. [VERB noun] Phrasal verbs: soften up phrasal verb If you soften someone up, you put them into a good mood before asking them to do something. [informal] If they'd treated you well it was just to soften you up. [VERB noun PARTICLE] Idioms: soften the blow or cushion the blow to make an unpleasant change or piece of news seem less unpleasant and easier to accept Although attempts were made to soften the blow, by reducing what some people had to pay, the tax still met with widespread opposition. Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers Collocations: fruit softens For the filling, put the raspberries, cornflour and caster sugar into a pan over a medium heat and stir gently until the fruit softens. The Sun To make the jam, place the mango, pineapple, sugar, lemon juice and zest in a saucepan and heat gently until the sugar dissolves and the fruit softens. Times, Sunday Times With increasing maturity, the fruit softens, similar to a kiwifruit. Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0 Flick little strokes in the direction of hair growth and brush through to soften the line. Times, Sunday Times Define your eye socket with liquid liner, then soften the line by tracing over with dark powder eyeshadow using a sponge applicator or firm eyeshadow brush. The Sun Soften the lines by choosing a cardigan instead. Times, Sunday Times It really softens the lines. The Sun The water ends in a basin sunk into street level, with a curving front edge that softens the line of the monuments architectural base. Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0 Put deep-pile rugs in the room and use textured curtains to soften the look. Times, Sunday Times If you have shorter face-framing layers at the front, leave these out to soften the look. Times, Sunday Times With your prominent cheekbones and square jaw, you need to soften your look by avoiding glasses that are sharp and angular. Times, Sunday Times The casual tee and boots soften the look, making it a perfect work-to-dinner outfit. The Sun They gather moss and 'peg' it with small twigs to the sides to soften the look of the cold earth. Times, Sunday Times Translations: Chinese: 使变软 Japanese: 柔らかくする/柔らかくなる |
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