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

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

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

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

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

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

See also:

References in periodicals archive ?

Performers who included Hollie Robinson, Roy McLelland and Zoe Tait took to the stage in the church on Saturday, with Lower The Tone performing this Saturday, as Tommy aims to showcase the building as a future music venue.

Music can play a big part in saving Coats ...so let's get in tune; TOMMY MCGRORY CALLS ON OUR MUSICIANS TO HELP RESCUE ICONIC CHURCH

They have made the local news as neighbours fear students will "lower the tone", however nothing could be further from the truth.

These students more likely to be in the library, than the pub; LETTERS

''Did Ab Fab lower the tone?" Joanna quizzed company president Jerome.

HOW Jennifer Saunders and Joanna []

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

In the petition, which is addressed to Berkhamsted Town Council, creator Cathie George said: "This overcrowded town doesn't need another supermarket but a school or doctors." Another local posted: "We don't want to lower the tone of the town with a Lidl."

Berkhamsted backlash against 'lowering the tone with a Lidl'

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

To Broken Expat 'Lower the tone!' (GDN, October 13) ...

Timely advice

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.