downplay

downplay
/down"play'/, v.t.
to treat or speak of (something) so as to reduce emphasis on its importance, value, strength, etc.: The press has downplayed the president's role in the negotiations.
[1950-55; DOWN1 + PLAY, from v. phrase play down]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • downplay — down|play [ˌdaunˈpleı US ˈdaunpleı] v [T] to make something seem less important than it really is = ↑play down ▪ White House officials attempted to downplay the President s role in the affair …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • downplay — say it is not important, soft pedal    They tried to downplay the fact that smoking caused the fire …   English idioms

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