edge out
• narrowly defeat a rival or opponent.
• "Portugal edged out Holland in the semi-final"
• remove a person from an organization or role by indirect means.
• "she was edged out of the organization by the director"
take the edge off
• reduce the intensity or effect of (something unpleasant or severe).
• "the tablets will take the edge off the pain"
Similar:
allay,
assuage,
alleviate,
ease,
relieve,
reduce,
diminish,
decrease,
lessen,
soothe,
soften,
dull,
cushion,
mollify,
moderate,
calm,
lull,
temper,
mitigate,
palliate,
blunt,
deaden,
abate,
tone down,
lenify,
