| Get mushy |
| Become lax |
| Become flabby |
| Become lenient |
| Stop being strict |
| Lose one's resolve |
| Become lenient (on) |
| Turn tender-hearted |
| Opposite of get tough |
| Be less demanding (on) |
| Treat leniently, with "on |
| Become lenient, as on crime |
| Back off, as with discipline |
| Show sympathy toward, with "on |