take the edge off

verb

To diminish the effects of (something unpleasant or severe); to dull.

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Meanings

verbtake the edge off (third-person singular simple present takes the edge off, present participle taking the edge off, simple past took the edge off, past participle taken the edge off)

present singular third person takes the edge off · participle present taking the edge off · past took the edge off · participle past taken the edge off

  1. To diminish the effects of (something unpleasant or severe); to dull.

    She knew better than to drink from the bar, but she'd been so thirsty, and she needed something to take the edge off.

    2011, Allison Brennan, Kiss Me, Kill Me: A Novel of Suspense, page 1
    1 more example

    Allen Gregory DeLongpre: You know what? Let's forget all the mishegoss and try to enjoy our lunch, huh? Take the edge off.

    2011 Allen Gregory, "Pilot" (season 1, episode 1)
  2. To relax or unwind (by consuming alcohol or other psychoactive substances).
Cite this entry
APA

take the edge off. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20the%20edge%20off

MLA

“take the edge off.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20the%20edge%20off. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “take the edge off,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20the%20edge%20off.

Source: take the edge off on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.