C1idiomhealthIELTS-friendly
take the edge off
USUK
to make pain, hunger or another unpleasant feeling less strong
Often followed by 'something': pain, hunger, stress or nerves. It means 'reduce', not 'remove'.
In context
A cup of hot ginger tea took the edge off my sore throat.
Have a banana to take the edge off your hunger until dinner.
More idioms about health
- a clean bill of healtha doctor's statement, after an examination, that someone is healthy
- a new lease of lifenew energy, or a chance to be active or useful again
- a ripe old agea very old age, reached in good health
- a second windnew energy that lets you continue after you felt too tired
- a shadow of your former selfmuch weaker, thinner or less impressive than before