# soften someone's cough

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/soften-someones-cough
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To completely negate or undermine someone's argument or position on a topic.

## Examples

- The evidence will soften his cough during the meeting.
- When the manager presented the actual budget reports, it really softened his cough regarding the need for new equipment.
- The sudden revelation of the hidden documents effectively softened his cough, leaving him with no choice but to abandon his aggressive stance.

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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.