cool someone off

cool someone down† and cool someone off†

1. Lit. to cool someone by reducing the heat or applying something cold. •

Here, have a cold drink. Cool yourself down.

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The ice finally cooled down the feverish child.

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We need to cool off the pudding in a hurry.

2. Fig. to reduce someone's anger. (Reducing the “heat” of anger.) •

I just stared at him while he was yelling. I knew that would cool him down.

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The coach talked to them for a long time. That cooled them off.

3. Fig. to reduce someone's passion or love. (Reducing the “heat” of passion.) •

When she slapped him, that really cooled him down.

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Seeing Mary was too intense, so Bill cooled himself off by breaking it off for a while.