It means to treat a person kindly or gently, especially in a situation where you might be expected to be angry with him.

VOA: special.2010.08.29

I know this might be changing the game a little bit, but if you ever expected to play the same game with the partner you have more.

我知道这可能会稍微改变点这个博弈,但是如果你认为以后你还会,和你的对手进行相同博弈

耶鲁公开课 - 博弈论课程节选

It just explains that you feel a certain way and it might be contradictory to what is expected of you

它可以表达你产生了一种可能与他人对你的预期相反的感觉。

I can't help but 课堂 - SpeakingMax英语口语达人