water down
To add water to a drink to make it weaker, or to make a plan or idea less strong or effective.
Meanings
To add water to a drink or liquid to reduce its strength or concentration.
"He watered down the squash because the children found it too sweet."
To reduce the force, effectiveness, or impact of something, especially a policy, law, or proposal.
"Critics accused the government of watering down the environmental legislation to appease industry lobbies."
"The final bill was a watered-down version of what reformers had hoped for."
— The New York Times, widely attested phrasing in political reporting (various dates)
To simplify or reduce the challenge or quality of something to make it more accessible or less controversial.
"The teacher watered down the exam because so many students had struggled with the material."
The literal sense refers to diluting drinks. The figurative sense is extremely common in journalism and politics, often used to criticise proposals that have been weakened under pressure. Both British and American English use this expression frequently.
Commonly used with
Forms
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