1
general::
Make less vivid, harsh, or violent; moderate. For example, That's a little too much rouge; I'd tone it down a bit, or Do you think I should tone down this letter of complaint? This idiom uses tone in the sense of "adjust the tone or quality of something," as does the antonym, tone up, meaning "brighten or strengthen." For example, These curtains will tone up the whole room, or This exercise is said to tone up the triceps. [Mid-1800s]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): tone something down
to cause something to have less of an impact on the senses of sight or sound; to lessen the impact of something prepared for public performance or consumption. • This is rather shocking. You had better tone it down a bit. • Tone down this paragraph.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs