lower the tone

To make something less polite, intellectual, or cultured. The fart jokes really lowered the tone of an otherwise smart and engaging film.

See also: lower, tone

lower the tone

If something lowers the tone of a place or event, it makes it seem less respectable. Councillors say plastic-framed windows lower the tone of the neighbourhood. I drank four cans of beer — I pride myself on lowering the tone at parties where everyone else is drinking champagne.

See also: lower, tone

lower the tone

diminish the spirit or moral character of a conversation, place, etc.

Tone here is used to mean the general character or attitude of a conversation, place, piece of writing, etc.

See also: lower, tone

lower the ˈtone (of something)

make the general character and attitude of something, such as a place, a piece of writing or the atmosphere of an event, less polite or respectable: Residents were afraid that a fast-food restaurant would lower the tone of the street.

See also: lower, tone

References in periodicals archive ?

To lower the tone, I have four small moggies who prefer to use litter trays instead of the neighbouring gardens.

A footpath to avoid VERY [...]; FEEDBACK

The developers, who have also ruled out caravans on driveways, say smalls fluttering in gardens lower the tone of the area.

Too posh to wash; Luxury estate residents are told not to hang their laundry outside

It is disappointing that AW should lower the tone of his debate by referring to patients in the waiting room as 'hoi polloi' which is a derogatory term for the masses - sick people regardless of patient status deserve more respect and compassion.

Private healthcare and the NHS; FEEDBACK

She has also taken to Twitter to talk about the accusations of giving the resort a bad name, saying: "The question of the day is 'is it really possible to lower the tone of Magaluf'?

White Dee hits back against Magaluf outcry

SIR - Without wishing to lower the tone of the deadly serious letters that appear on this page, or chastise the anti-anything-English brigade (all 12 of 'em), I'd like to comment on a subject that will engage many more people's attention this Saturday night - namely the Strictly Come Dancing final.

Susannah will win - but not deservedly; Views of Wales

And while you can always trust Pricey to lower the tone I'm repeating the nickname so the women he chases in future know exactly what they're getting.

Dodgy Danny a dunderhead

Since the length of tubing of the f-alto horn is half that of the F horn, it seems natural, and it is the case that, stopping the high f (f-alto) horn will lower the tone a full step (as in "Horn in E[flat]").

Stopping the high F horn

Whatever you or I may think of the man and his policies, and I am no card-carrying Tory, Mr Cameron is the Jam, Prime Minister of this country and I don't believe it serves the wider public interest for any newspaper to lower the tone by referring to him disparagingly in this way.

Treat the PM with respect he deserves; LETTERS

Council bosses are keen to make sure vendors do not lower the tone of the waterfront.

DRESS-UP CALL FOR PIER HEAD FOOD SELLERS

This brand of humor does nothing but lower the tone of your magazine and is insulting not only to handicapped people and their families everywhere but to the intelligence of your readers.

Over the line

He released his debut album Lower The Tone in 2006 to much critical acclaim in the press and, within four weeks of its release, the album had sold out.

Ask and Askew wishes will be granted; Music Clubbing

Fears have also been expressed that the store's design could lower the tone of the town and aggravate congestion on a main route.

BID TO BLOCK FOOD GIANT'S SHOP PLAN

If you thought the return of Bianca (and her brood) was going to lower the tone of life in Albert Square, have no fear.

Soap stories: Trouble is brewing in the family; EASTENDERS MONDAY, BBC1,8pm

Nine local people had objected to Castle Morpeth Borough Council ( claiming a tattoo parlour would lower the tone of the town and prove counter-productive at a time when a pounds 30m town centre redevelopment scheme is in the pipeline.