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| VERB |
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| /ˈsɒfn/ |
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| 1 | I/T to become softer or to make something softer （使）变软 |
| Simmer gently until the apple has softened. 慢慢炖到苹果变软为止。 |
| If the mixture is too hard you will need to soften it. 如果混料太硬你就得把它弄软。 |
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| 2 | I/T to become kinder and less severe , or to make someone or something do this （使）变温和；（使）软化 |
| When Jack spoke to the children his voice softened. 杰克对孩子们说话时声音变温和了。 |
| She seems to have softened her attitude to him. 她对他的态度似乎已经软化了。 |
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| 3 | T to make something look more pleasant by making its colour or shape less strong （通过柔化颜色或外形）使变得令人愉快（或讨人喜欢） |
| The warm light softened her features. 温暖的灯光使她的外貌更加悦人。 |
| PHRASE |
| - | soften the blow/impact/effect
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| to make something unpleasant seem less severe |
| 减轻打击/冲击/影响 |
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| He tried to soften the blow by telling her himself. 他试图亲口告诉她来减轻对她的打击。 |
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| PHRASAL VERBS |
| - | ˌsoften ˈup |
| PHRASAL VB |
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| | to make someone more likely to do what you want by being nice to them 使软化；打动 | His strategy was to soften them up with compliments. 他的策略是用恭维话来打动他们。 | |
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