soften up
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“All these factors slow or stop any future beef herd expansion in the country, and limiting the beef supply will not soften up retail prices for the consumer.”
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 18, 2026
“If we froze everything in time, I think you’d say this is a fine labor market, but the direction in which things are pointing suggests a risk that it could soften up further,” Feroli said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2025
That could be because UnitedHealth did not actually soften up.
From Slate ● May 14, 2025
When you show up repeatedly, and you ask questions in good faith and show curiosity, people soften up and some of their initial skepticism starts to evolve.
From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2023
Ms. Washington gave me a minute to soften up and give in, because she didn’t know about my heart and its resolution, and that she was dealing with a mighty and unbending will.
From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan
