i.e. an old rusted car that barely starts
and the used car salesman says:
She's a little worse for wear, but [insert pitch]
acknowledging the car has negative qualities or traits, but minimizing the reality of how bad it really is.
Or a hair dresser slips leaving a bald spot shaved into your scalp
and the hairdresser says:
Have a rough spot there, but [insert platitude]
What are the salesman and hairdresser doing? Minimizing negative attention by acknowledging it mildly then moving on
Looking for a single word or phrase. If single word, it could be used as: "Have to be careful with that Jimmy, he's always [word]."
I've considered downplay, minimize, etc. And while it's close, I'm looking specifically for the acknowledgement of the negative attribute "in passing" as a way to downplay, or minimize.