Definition of the word pad out

The phrase "pad out" is a term originally used in boxing that referenced the padding on boxing gloves. Boxers would add extra padding, or "pads," to their gloves to protect their opponents from being injured during sparring sessions. This padding would also help the boxers themselves avoid getting hurt while practicing. As boxers trained with these padded gloves, they may have noticed that the added padding made their punches less impactful or "softer," compared to their punches without the pads. This realization led to the term "pad out" being coined to describe the action of making something less intense or less forceful. Over time, the term "pad out" has transcended its origins in boxing and is now used in a variety of contexts, such as when a writer adds extra information to an essay to make it longer, or when a musician softens the energy of a song during the bridge to provide a moment of relief before the final chorus. In each case, the term "pad out" denotes the act of making something larger or more complicated, while still retaining a sense of softness or gentleness.