downplay

UK //ˌdaʊnˈpleɪ//US //ˌdaʊnˈpleɪ//

词源

由 'down'（向下）和 'play'（扮演、表现）组合而成，字面意思是“降低表现”，引申为“淡化”或“贬低”。

❶ 故意轻描淡写或贬低某事物的重要性，使其看起来不如实际情况严重或重要。

“The company tried to downplay the negative effects of the product recall.”

（该公司试图淡化产品召回带来的负面影响。）

“He downplayed his role in the project, though he actually did most of the work.”

（他轻描淡写自己在项目中的角色，尽管实际上他完成了大部分工作。）

同义词:minimize, understate, belittle, diminish, play down

downplay the significance — 故意降低某事物的重要性或影响，使其显得不那么关键。

“The report downplayed the significance of climate change on coastal cities.”

（这份报告淡化了气候变化对沿海城市的重要性。）