# soft shoe

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/soft-shoe
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A speech, explanation, sales pitch, or other set of remarks delivered in a restrained or conciliatory manner in order to persuade, distract, or otherwise influence someone.

## Examples

- The manager did a soft shoe to calm the angry customer.
- Instead of giving us a direct answer, the politician did a soft shoe to avoid discussing the budget cuts.
- The lawyer performed a careful soft shoe before the jury, hoping to soften their stance on his client's controversial actions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.