手心

プログレッシブ和英中辞典(第4版)

てごころ【手心】

彼は若いので手心を加えてやった
We considered [made allowance(s) for] his youth.

先生は彼の長期の闘病生活を考慮して卒業論文の採点に手心を加えた
When marking his graduation thesis, the teacher took his long illness into consideration [account].

政治家の息子というので警察は彼の処分に手心を加えたようだ
The police seem to 「have been easy on him [have dealt with him leniently] because he is a politician's son.

批判に手心を加える
tone down one's criticism／《口》 pull one's punches（▼否定文に多く使う）

出典　小学館「プログレッシブ和英中辞典(第4版)」