cushion the blow

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cushion the blow

To ease the pain or stress of something unpleasant. When my daughter had to get a shot at the doctor's office, I tried to cushion the blow by telling her we would go out for ice cream afterward.
See also: blow, cushion
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

cushion/soften the ˈblow

make something unpleasant seem less unpleasant and easier to accept: When he lost his job he was offered a cash payment to soften the blow.
See also: blow, cushion, soften
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive ?
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Sponge in the earmuff-style headset Kate Fitzpatrick was wearing cushioned the blow when a car ploughed into her on a pelican crossing, throwing her 10ft into the air.
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DUNDEE UNITED have cushioned the blow of losing keeper Lukasz Zaluska to Celtic by pinning resurgent striker Jon Daly down to a new three-year contract.
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Pc Darren Dacosta, of Huddersfield traffic police, said: "The camper van slowed the lorry down and cushioned the blow for the other two vehicles.
Lorry causes havoc
McCarthy also admitted Elliott's emergence this season has cushioned the blow of missing out on another Republic of Ireland forward, David Connolly, who is set to face the Black Cats at the Walker's Stadium.
Irish eyes are on Elliott
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