Why Saying ‘Relax” Is Not the Best Way to Calm Someone Down in English

What phrases did you hear? (three)

Take the edge off

• It means to make something less intense if you are feeling stressed out. It ultimately means you are taking a step back and gaining perspective so you can relax.
• not just stress, but physical pain. Getting a massage won’t completely cure your back, but it will be sure to take the edge off the pain.

Unwind

• When you think of “unwind” it’s more about pure relaxing. You might say “I like to unwind with a good book at the end of the day.”

Let one’s hair down

• This may sound a bit feminine, but it certainly has to do with relaxing. It’s all about what you do to get away from stress and relax–figuring out what works best for you.
• partying and allowing yourself to relax and really be who you are. “I like to go to a happy hour with my friends after work and let my hair down.”

Untitled Slide

Words in the roleplay

• drag
• take your mind off of sth.

How do you take the edge off? Unwind? Let your hair down?