soften someone's cough
English
Verb
soften someone's cough (third-person singular simple present softens someone's cough, present participle softening someone's cough, simple past and past participle softened someone's cough)
- To completely negate or undermine someone's argument or position on a topic.
- 2004, Edmund Powers, The Last Chapter, →ISBN, page 183:
- 'Ha! That's softened your cough. Now, we'll waste no more time out here gabbing,' and that leather, hobgoblin face became very, very businesslike.
- 2009, Terry Wogan, Where Was I?!: The World According to Wogan, →ISBN:
- Let me fill you in on a few minor details that may soften your cough.
- 2010, Ross O'Carroll-Kelly, The Oh My God Delusion, →ISBN:
- 'Everyone knows this place is an obvious front,' I go. 'You're laundering the moo you stashed in Andorra.' That softens his cough.
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- To humble or humiliate; put someone in his place.
- 2012, Arlene Hunt, Blood Money, →ISBN:
- Because this was blameless Mike's third such 'surprise', Justice Carmel Healy decided she'd soften his cough by sticking him inside for a few months.
- 2014, JP Burke, Perfumed Cargo, →ISBN, page 52:
- That's one thundering snotty bitch!” “Yeah,” Hanly said as he started the engine. “Thinks she's Marie Antoinette or some other high and mighty queen. I know it would only be a fine but it might just soften her cough a bit.
- 2016, Mary Morrissy, Prosperity Drive, →ISBN:
- His father has mellowed, too; a bad hip has softened his cough.
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- To ease or sooth someone's cough.
- 1836, The Parterre of Poetry and Historical Romance:
- O! now, my dear Doctor, but one glass of champagne, or a wine-glass of punch to soften my cough !
- 2003, Rosie Harris, Patsy of Paradise Place, →ISBN:
- That'll help to soften his cough. I bet that's what your mam used to do for you when you were a bit chesty?
- 2009, Amy Boaz, A Richer Dust, →ISBN, page 230:
- I rode down the mountain to get the powder he needed to soften his cough. He said he couldn't breathe.
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