tone down

Donald Trump has spent years getting away with saying just about anything on a stage, with his more unhinged asides being toned down through major media outlets' "sanewashing."

Conservative leadership contender Kemi Badenoch has said she will tone down her approach – after some of her colleagues suggested she can be rude.

Set in the world of 1980s TV, Dame Jilly is relieved that the most outlandish sensibilities and plotlines of Rivals have not been toned down for a more sensitive 2024 audience.

But the Lib Dems have not toned down their hostility towards Conservatives, who they took 60 of their 72 seats from in the general election.

To appeal to undecideds, Trump needs to tone down his rhetoric, stop spreading myths about migrants eating dogs and cats, and reinforce his economic credentials.