softy

Everyday

1. (informal) A kind, gentle person who is easily moved or who can't be strict. tree →
2. (informal, teasing) Someone thought too weak or scared, a wimp. tree →

In the lessons

In family talk «Dad's a big softy» means he is soft-hearted, maybe tough-looking but gentle and easy to persuade. Among children it can be a mild tease; teachers may remind them not to call others names. It is usually friendly.

Examples

• Grandpa looks grumpy, but he's a big softy. tree →
• Don't be such a softy — the water's not that cold! tree →
• Mum's a softy and always lets us stay up a bit later. tree →
• The huge dog is a softy who's scared of cats. tree →
• Our coach is strict, but she's a softy at heart. tree →
• He pretends to be tough, but he cried at the film — what a softy! tree →

Note

Countable; plural «softies». Spelled «softy» or «softie». Related: soft-hearted, «a soft touch» (easy to persuade).

In Jewish tradition

"Went softy" means Ahab walked slowly and humbly, showing sorrow. It does not mean he was weak.

Interpretation. Tradition reads Ahab's repentance as real enough that God delayed his punishment. This shows how much repentance can achieve, even for a wicked king.

Examples

• And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softy. (Prophets 1KI.21.27, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable; plural «softies». Spelled «softy» or «softie». Related: soft-hearted, «a soft touch» (easy to persuade).