1. take the edge off - Verb
2. take the edge off - Phrase
To diminish the effects of (something unpleasant or severe); to dull.
To relax or unwind (by consuming alcohol or other psychoactive substances).
Source: en.wiktionary.orgShe wondered if she could put a dart in his eye. It would not kill him, but it might take the edge off his cockiness. Alastair Reynolds
I wasn't always such a great fan of Shakespeare, mind you. I can guess we all at one time had it rammed down our necks at school, which tends to take the edge off it. Christopher Eccleston
Maybe if God gives you a handicap, he makes sure you've got a few extra doses of humor to take the edge off. Jodi Picoult
You learn to laugh at yourself, and you also lean on comedy as a crutch to kind of take the edge off because comedians often are self-deprecating, and they cross lines that they shouldn't. Stuff like that brings a smile to my face every once in a while when needed. John Cena
Whenever there was a crisis, I found a man to help me take the edge off the feelings of helplessness and pain. Susan Cheever
A110s are still too new and sought-after to be cheap – you're looking at a minimum spend of £46,000 – but the release of a second wave of 'upgraded' (not necessarily for the better) A110s should take the edge off first-car prices soon. Source: Internet