ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ verb
Etymology: soft pedal
transitive verb
1. : to use the soft pedal in playing (a musical passage)
2. : to play down (a fact, an aspect, or a consideration) : reduce the effect of : conceal , disguise , muffle
time for the club to soft-pedal the war heroics — Jack Gould
this concern is evident, though soft-pedaled — Atlantic
intransitive verb
1. : to play a musical passage with the soft pedal
2. : to play something down : obscure or muffle a fact or consideration