控えめに

in moderation

→ 控えめだ
phrase Rare #42,040
in moderation Used to mean doing something modestly or not excessively. In the expression 控えめに言っても, it means “to put it mildly.”
JA: 甘いものは控えめにしてください。
EN: Please have sweets in moderation.

控えめに言っても奇妙これが幸福な生活

To put it mildly, this is strange—is this what a happy life looks like?

— Бриллиантовая рука (1969)

タバコはもっと控えめに

You should cut down on smoking.

控えめに言ってね私は著名な女性経営者恐らく政治的なにもなる

Put it modestly: I’m a prominent female business leader, and this will probably become a political issue as well.

— ブゴニア (2025)

お酒は控えめに

Drink in moderation.