How Do You Spell SOFTENS UP?

Pronunciation: [sˈɒfənz ˈʌp] (IPA)

The word "softens up" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /ˈsɒf.ənz ʌp/. The letter "o" is pronounced as "ɒ" and the "e" is pronounced as "ə". The "t" and "s" sounds are blended together as "ts", and the "en" sound is pronounced as "ən". The second syllable is stressed, making the "up" sound more prominent. This word describes a process of making something softer or more pliable, and is commonly used in cooking or in discussions about emotional states.

SOFTENS UP Meaning and Definition

1. The term "softens up" is a phrasal verb that can be used in different contexts and has several shades of meaning. Generally, "softens up" refers to an action or process that makes something less severe, unyielding, or rigid.

   In a physical sense, "softens up" can refer to the act of making a material or object less firm, stiff, or resistant. For instance, when cooking meat or vegetables, the process of tenderizing can be described as "softening up" the food to make it more palatable and easier to chew.

   In a figurative sense, "softens up" can describe the act of making someone or something more receptive, less resistant, or more sympathetic. For instance, before delivering a difficult message or asking for a favor, one might engage in conversation or show kindness to "soften up" the recipient and prepare them for the impending news or request.

   Additionally, "softens up" can be used to describe the process of weakening or breaking down someone's resistance, defenses, or barriers. This can be done through persuasion, negotiation, or even psychological tactics to make someone more compliant or receptive.

   Overall, "softens up" connotes a transformation from a harder or more resistant state to a softer, more malleable, or open state in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Common Misspellings for SOFTENS UP

• aoftens up
• zoftens up
• xoftens up
• doftens up
• eoftens up
• woftens up
• siftens up

Etymology of SOFTENS UP

The word "softens up" is a phrase derived from the combination of the word "soften" and the particle "up".

The word "soften" traces its origin back to the Old English word "sōfte", which means "gentle" or "mild". It can be further traced to the Proto-Germanic word "*sōftijaną". Additionally, the Proto-Germanic word can be linked to the Proto-Indo-European root "*swep-", meaning "crooked, curved, soft". Over time, the word "soften" came to mean the act of making something less harsh, rigid, or severe.

The particle "up", on the other hand, is derived from Old English "uppa" meaning "upward" or "higher position", indicating an intensifying or completion of an action.