go easy with (someone)

To be lenient with someone, especially after they've done something that could justify a punishment or scolding. Go easy with your little brother, will you? He didn't mean to break the window. I thought the coach was going to scream at me after I lost the game, but he actually went pretty easy with me. Can you please go easy with Sarah? Yes, she screwed this report up, but her mom was just diagnosed with cancer a few days ago.