take the edge off
take off the edge
To lessen, weaken, soften or make dull.
Eating a candy bar before dinner has taken the edge off Becky's appetite.
Bob was sorry for hurting Tom and that took the edge off Tom's anger.
A headache took the edge off Dick's pleasure in the movie.
take the fifth
Taking refuge behind the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States which guarantees any witness the right not to incriminate himself while testifying at a trial.
Alger Hiss took the Fifth when asked whether he was a member of the Communist Party.
Not to answer any question in an informal setting.
Have you been married before? - I take the Fifth.
take the floor
To get up and make a speech in a meeting.
The audience became very attentive the moment the president took the floor.
take the law into one's own hands
To protect one's supposed rights or punish a suspected wrongdoer without reference to a court. An overused expression.
When the men of the settlement caught the suspected murderer, they took the law into their own hands and hanged him to a tree.
His farm was going to be sold for taxes, but he took the law into his own hands and drove the sheriff away with a shotgun.
take the lid off
To let out in the open; divulge.
It's about time to take the lid off the question of how many prisoners of war are still in enemy hands.
To start to face an issue.
"The best way to deal with your divorce," the doctor said to Fran, "is to take the lid off of it."
take the offensive
To make oneself the attacking party.
After many months of preparation, the freedom fighters were ready to take the offensive.
take the pledge
To swear to give up drinking, smoking, or using drugs.
Gary finally took the pledge and he has kept it thus far.
take the plunge
To take a fatal or decisive step; venture.
When I asked Don when he and Melissa were going to get married, he answered that they'll take the plunge in September.