soft–pedal
/ˈsɑːftˈpɛdl̟/
verb
soft–pedals
US
soft–pedaled
or British
soft–pedalled
US
soft–pedaling
or British
soft–pedalling
soft–pedals
US
soft–pedaled
or British
soft–pedalled
US
soft–pedaling
or British
soft–pedalling
Britannica Dictionary definition of SOFT–PEDAL
[+ object]
chiefly US, informal
:
to treat or describe (something) as less important than it really is