Historical clue formulations

• Render harmless, so to speak — 2020-02-02
• Make furniture-safe, in a way — 2016-07-29
• Make less dangerous, in a way — 2016-02-28
• *Remove nails from — 2010-10-12
• Remove the nails from, as a cat — 2009-05-26
• Make less threatening — 2006-05-06
• Render harmless, perhaps, to 26-Across's kin — 2005-03-01
• Make safe — 1995-05-18