soften someone's cough

present singular third person softens someone's cough · participle present softening someone's cough · participle past softened someone's cough · past softened someone's cough

1. IrelandidiomaticTo completely negate or undermine someone's argument or position on a topic.

   Let me fill you in on a few minor details that may soften your cough.

   2009, Terry Wogan, Where Was I?!: The World According to Wogan, →ISBN

   2 more examples

   '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.

   2004, Edmund Powers, The Last Chapter, →ISBN, page 183

   'Everyone knows this place is an obvious front,' I go. 'You're laundering the moo you stashed in Andorra.' That softens his cough.

   2010, Ross O'Carroll-Kelly, The Oh My God Delusion, →ISBN

2. IrelandidiomaticTo humble or humiliate; put someone in his place.

   His father has mellowed, too; a bad hip has softened his cough.

   2016, Mary Morrissy, Prosperity Drive, →ISBN

   2 more examples

   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.

   2012, Arlene Hunt, Blood Money, →ISBN

   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.

   2014, JP Burke, Perfumed Cargo, →ISBN, page 52

3. IrelandUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: see soften, cough.

   O! now, my dear Doctor, but one glass of champagne, or a wine-glass of punch to soften my cough !

   1836, The Parterre of Poetry and Historical Romance

   2 more examples

   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?

   2003, Rosie Harris, Patsy of Paradise Place, →ISBN

   I rode down the mountain to get the powder he needed to soften his cough. He said he couldn't breathe.

   2009, Amy Boaz, A Richer Dust, →ISBN, page 230