soft-pedalled

Though initially the goal was a separate state of Kurdistan, PKK leaders have soft-pedalled that demand in recent years, focusing instead on seeking language rights, greater local autonomy and amnesty for its fighters.

Blast Shuts Down Turkish Pipeline 2010

Even Matthew Yglesias, who writes one of the most independent-minded revolutionary liberal blogs, confessed that he had soft-pedalled his opposition to a military coup.

Matthew Yglesias » Sowell’s Coup 2007

The BBC, especially the world service, has been deeply anti-settler and anti-Zionist, soft-pedalled jihadism and apologised for Islam in general for a long time, and it's worsening.

On Thursday, the Legg report will be published along with... 2008

Then, to try to goad Sen. Clinton into commenting about Obama ... it might have been soft-pedalled a bit, but it basically is "gotcha" journalism with a feminine touch.

Archive 2007-01-14 Sinfonian 2007

Then, to try to goad Sen. Clinton into commenting about Obama ... it might have been soft-pedalled a bit, but it basically is "gotcha" journalism with a feminine touch.

A woman's place is in the Senate Sinfonian 2007

And the United States, as Rick points out, needs to make sure that we approach these with determination, because the Bush administration has not done that, because we've really just sort of soft-pedalled our relations with China.

CNN Transcript Oct 9, 2006 2006

But, while I don't want to soft-pedal Hume's absurdities on this topic they are too often soft-pedalled, since it is a real and important question as to just how these absurdities cohere with Hume's general principles, I also don't want people going away with an unbalanced view of his position.

Archive 2005-06-01 2005

But, while I don't want to soft-pedal Hume's absurdities on this topic they are too often soft-pedalled, since it is a real and important question as to just how these absurdities cohere with Hume's general principles, I also don't want people going away with an unbalanced view of his position.

Hume against Slavery 2005

But, though he has continued to oppose abortion, he has soft-pedalled his stand on it because a ban on abortion would be highly unpopular.

The Washington View 1985

Mr. Reagan and his colleagues are no friends of civil liberties; and in order to do what they are doing, they know that civil liberties must be soft-pedalled and diminished.

Oral History Interview with William W. Finlator, April 19, 1985. Interview C-0007. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007) 1985