soften the blow  

cushion the blow

If something softens the blow or cushions the blow, it makes an unpleasant change or piece of news seem less unpleasant and easier to accept.

Although attempts were made to soften the blow, by reducing what some people had to pay, the tax still met with widespread opposition.

Although it will reduce weekly pay packets by around ￡50, the firm is offering to cushion the blow with a ￡4,000 cash handout spread over two years and by guaranteeing jobs and minimum hours.

strike a blow for something 

strike a blow against something

If you strike a blow for something such as a cause or principle, you do something which supports it or makes it more likely to succeed. If you strike a blow against something, you succeed in weakening its harmful effect.

If she her coalition together for long enough to a vote of confidence in as she is expected she will become the country's first woman Prime Minister. Her appointment would strike a blow for women's rights in Poland.

Johan has struck a blow for equality against an obvious and intolerable anomaly in the law.

`We have struck a major blow against drug dealing and crack manufacture in London,' said Drugs Squad Inspector Richard Woodman.

true

ring true

If a statement or promise rings true, it seems to be true, sincere, or genuine. Compare ring hollow; see hollow.

It is Mandela's argument that rings true to American ears.

When I heard the initial reasons, they didn't ring true. It was only when Bill's statement came out it began to make sense.