soften up 1. 使变软；使软化；使温和；安抚；变软 soften sb. up 安抚某人 The child softened up the plasticine with his fingers. 孩子用手指把橡皮泥弄软。 The material has begun to soften up. 这材料已开始变软。 2. 缓和；减轻；削弱(力量) soften up enemy resistance by saturation bombing 用饱和轰炸削弱敌方的抵抗 3. (在进攻前用轰炸等)削弱(敌方)的抵抗及士气 The beach defences were softened up before the landing crafts went in. 在登陆艇驶入以前，海滩防御工事已遭削弱。