water down

To make a statement weaker by changing its words or removing parts that might upset people.

• She watered down her criticism.
• They watered down the report to avoid upsetting the minister.
• Why did you water the statement down?

How to use it: water something down (The committee watered the statement down before publishing it.)

Similar words: soften, tone down, weaken

Opposites: strengthen

Common phrases: water down a statement, water down their criticism

To add water to a drink so that its taste or alcohol becomes less strong.

• Please water down my juice.
• They watered down the wine before serving it.
• Has someone watered this lemonade down?

How to use it: water something down (The bartender watered the whisky down.)

Similar words: dilute

Common phrases: water down a drink, water down the wine

To add water to a liquid so that it becomes less strong or less thick.

• Water down the juice a little.
• She watered down the soup because it was too thick.
• Have you watered this paint down enough?

How to use it: water something down (I watered the paint down before using it.)

Similar words: dilute, thin

Opposites: concentrate, thicken

Common phrases: water down juice, water down paint, water down something

To make something easier to understand or do, often by removing important or difficult parts.

• They watered down the course.
• The publisher watered down the science for young readers.
• Must we water the lessons down so much?

How to use it: water something down for someone (They watered the course down for younger students.)

Similar words: simplify, dumb down

Opposites: complicate

Common phrases: water down a course, water down the content