Take the edge off

To "take the edge off" is to make something less intense

Today's story: Virgin Islands
Explore more: Lesson #138
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Take the edge off

Today’s episode is going really long, so I’ll be quick with the expression. To take the edge off. That’s today’s expression. At sunset in the Islands, a nice cool breeze takes the edge off the hot weather. That means it makes it less intense . I love the Islands, but the sun is intense. You need to like the warm weather if you go there. After a long day of soaking up Vitamin D , jumping in and out of the ocean, it’s nice to just rinse off , put on some dry clothes, and sit topside on the boat and enjoy the breeze. The breeze takes the edge off the hot weather; at sunset, it makes the hot weather less intense. Nice and refreshing.

You can take the edge off a long day at work by getting a beer or glass of wine afterward. If your day was intense, lots of pressure, deadlines , people yelling at you—you just want something to take the edge off, so you get a drink after work and relax. It doesn’t have to be alcohol. Sometimes a nice cup of green tea can take the edge off a long day; or for you it might be putting on some relaxing music . Anything to lower the intensity of the day, take the edge off.

We were talking about being in the islands, and some people feel a little queasy , just a little sick when they’re on a ferry or a boat. They get motion sickness , or seasick we sometimes say. And if that happens to you, you might take a drug called Dramamine to take some of the edge off your seasickness. It doesn’t make you all better, but lowers the intensity of your symptoms . It takes some of the edge off.


That’s all for today. I hope you got into the spirit of the Islands today. One thing I forgot about until just last week was Ting. Ting grapefruit soda, and it comes in these small little green bottles. It’s an island delicacy and a few of us from the old Islands trips toasted our departed friend Mr. A with a sip of Ting at his funeral. It was only fitting. Someone checked about 10 stores and finally found a place that sells it in Connecticut.

If you’re looking for tips on making the island destination the trip of a lifetime, just hit me up and I’ll give you my best ideas. My email address is [email protected] and remember you can also connect with us on WhatsApp by sending a message to +1 312 967 8757 . Thanks again for being part of the best audience in the world, and we’ll be back here on Thursday for another exciting episode of Plain English. I can’t wait. See you then.

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Story: Virgin Islands