[Idiom] take the edge off something

[Tofu]

Hello Alan, Mister Micawber, Beeesneees, Mordant, Esl_Expert and other native English speakers,

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http://www.oxfordadvancedlearnersdictionary.com/dictionary/edge
take the edge off something
to make something less strong, less bad, etc
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The sandwich took the edge off my appetite.
Can I say "reduced" in place of took the edge off?

I took an aspirin to take the edge off the pain.
Can I say "reduce" in place of take the edge off?

A squeeze of lemon takes the edge off the sweetness.
Can I say "reduces" in place of takes the edge off?

[Esl_Expert]

Hi Tofu,

The word 'reduce' is the right general idea, but I would suggest adding an adverb such as 'slightly' or 'somewhat'. That would be closer in meaning to me.

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"Competition is the keen cutting edge of business, always shaving away at costs." ~ Henry Ford

[Tofu]

Thank you, EE.