water down

water something down 

1. to dilute something. Who watered the orange juice down? Jim watered down the orange juice.

2. to water something thoroughly. Will you water the lawn down tonight? Water down the lawn this evening so it will grow tomorrow.

3. Fig. to reduce the effectiveness or force of something. (Fig. on {2}.) Please don't water my declaration down. The new laws watered down the power of the president.

See also: water

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water down something also water something down

to make something weaker Some people say the new regulations water down several laws that protect people who rent apartments in the city. Once the bill is introduced, he's worried that lawmakers will water it down.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of water down something (to add water to a liquid to weaken things mixed in it)

See also: water