desensitize (someone or something) to (something)

desensitize (someone or something) to (something)

To lessen the effect that something has on someone or something. People blame video games for desensitizing kids to violence. This special toothpaste should desensitize to your teeth to cold beverages. Is there anything I can do to desensitize my eyes to the wind? They water like crazy on windy days!

See also: desensitize, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

desensitize someone to something

to make someone less sensitive to something. The doctor wanted to desensitize the allergic child to pollen. I took injections to desensitize me to house dust.

See also: desensitize, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.