Soft landing (economics)
Etymology
A metaphor from aviation and spaceflight, where a soft landing brings a craft down gently rather than crashing. Economists adopted it for the delicate act of raising interest rates enough to curb inflation but not so much as to cause a downturn. Its opposite is a "hard landing."
noun phrase · /SAWFT LAN-ding/
An economic slowdown that cools inflation without tipping the economy into recession.
What it names
The central bank’s hardest trick — braking just enough — giving markets and the public a clear image of the goal to watch for.
Example
Inflation eased while unemployment stayed low, and analysts began to believe a soft landing was actually possible.
Related idea
The desired escape from stagflation, where growth stalls yet prices keep rising; a soft landing tames prices while growth continues.
noun · /SAWFT LAN-ding/
The landing of a spacecraft or aircraft gently enough to avoid damage or injury.
What it names
a controlled, non-destructive touchdown
Example
The lander fired its retro-thrusters to make a soft landing on the lunar surface.
Related idea
The economic metaphor keeps the engineering hope: bring it down slowly, using tools like quantitative easing, so nothing shatters on impact.