cushion/soften the blow
idiom
: to make one's disappointment less painful
She was disappointed not to get the job, but the promise of another job cushioned/softened the blow.
Examples of cushion/soften the blow in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bündchen did give Brady a heads-up, per TMZ, but that didn’t seem to soften the blow of the reports.
—
Justin Curto, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024
To soften the blow, the city will deal out up to $15 million annually to small businesses and the personal property tax exemption for smaller companies will go from $10,000 to $30,000.
—Mike Deehan, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024
Each independently offered a similar theory: The hiring manager is trying, very clumsily, to soften the blow.
—Sarah Green Carmichael, Twin Cities, 2 Aug. 2024
Some leaders begin with less relevant statements to soften the blow, but folks can feel misled when the tough news comes behind it.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cushion/soften the blow 
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Justin Curto, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024
To soften the blow, the city will deal out up to $15 million annually to small businesses and the personal property tax exemption for smaller companies will go from $10,000 to $30,000.
—Mike Deehan, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024
Each independently offered a similar theory: The hiring manager is trying, very clumsily, to soften the blow.
—Sarah Green Carmichael, Twin Cities, 2 Aug. 2024
Some leaders begin with less relevant statements to soften the blow, but folks can feel misled when the tough news comes behind it.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cushion/soften the blow
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“Cushion/soften the blow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cushion%2Fsoften%20the%20blow. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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