Possible Clues:

• Ply with praise, possibly
• Break down the resistance of, as a customer
• Render pliable
• Undermine the resistance of (someone)
• Undermine the resistance (of someone)
• It seems the South is seldom down if you make its resistance less
• Frequently the South is 15 across to make it less 6 down
• That's the way to make thorn tender - usually not down at the end
• Drink frequently swallowed to break down resistance
• It''s not hard to make the South get so seldom down