softening someone's cough

Verb

soften someone's cough (third-person singular simple present softens someone's cough, present participle softening someone's cough, simple past and past participle softened someone's cough)

1. (Ireland, idiomatic) To completely negate or undermine someone's argument or position on a topic.
   • 'Ha! That's softened your cough. Now, we'll waste no more time out here gabbing,' and that leather, hobgoblin face became very, very businesslike.2004, Edmund Powers, The Last Chapter, →ISBN, page 183
2. (Ireland, idiomatic) To humble or humiliate; put someone in his place.
   • Because this was blameless Mike's third such 'surprise', Justice Carmel Healy decided she'd soften his cough by sticking him inside for a few months.2012, Arlene Hunt, Blood Money, →ISBN
3. (Ireland) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see soften, cough.
   • O! now, my dear Doctor, but one glass of champagne, or a wine-glass of punch to soften my cough !1836, The Parterre of Poetry and Historical Romance