to intentionally describe something in a way that makes it seem less unpleasant or less serious than it really is

I'm not going to candy coat this. You are an idiot. 我不打算对此加以粉饰。你就是个白痴。

She is too clear-eyed about the ways of the world to candy-coat her stories. 她对世界的运作方式看得太清楚了，不会粉饰她的故事。

to cover something with a thin hard layer of sugar

I candy coated the nuts as they taste so much better that way. 我在坚果上涂了糖衣，因为这样吃起来味道更好。