Example: Intento quitar hierro al asunto para no preocupar a nadie.
Definition
"Quitar hierro al asunto" is a Spanish expression meaning to downplay or minimize the seriousness of a situation in order to avoid causing worry or concern. It often involves making a problem seem less important than it really is, as in 'I try to quitar hierro al asunto so no one gets worried.'
Translations
to play something down
iets bagatelliseren
treure ferro a l'assumpte
minimiser
herunterspielen
Etymology
The phrase "quitar hierro al asunto" literally translates as 'to remove iron from the matter.' Its origin is metaphorical, suggesting the act of taking away something heavy or hard (iron) to make a situation lighter or less burdensome. The exact origin is uncertain, but it has been used in Spanish to convey easing tensions or softening the impact of a problem.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Quitar hierro al asunto" appears in the Vocaplus list "Spanish - General - Modismos y refranes - (C1) - parte 1", containing 120 commonly used expressions.
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to play something down