wear down
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle down
Meanings
Gradually make something or someone weaker
Why “down”? A level or amount becomes lower. This can happen to prices, sound, heat, or speed.
“The constant noise wore him down.”
“The long argument wore her down.”
Don't confuse with
Wear down means gradually make something or someone weaker. Wear out means become unusable through use.
Test yourself
“The constant noise wore him down.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
wear out
A contrast learners often mix up
Become unusable through use
bring down
Same down pattern: less
Cause something to fall or land; Make something lower in level or amount; Cause a government or leader to lose power; Make someone feel sad or depressed
come down
Same down pattern: less
Drop from a high level it has been at; Have been passed down from earlier generations; Decide in favour of one side after consideration; Become ill with a particular illness; (of rain, snow or hail) fall
cool down
Same down pattern: less
Become or make less hot; Become calmer after anger or excitement; Do gentle exercise after a hard workout
count down
Same down pattern: less
Count backwards to zero before an event
cut down
Same down pattern: less
Reduce the amount of something; Fell a tree by cutting at its base; Kill or seriously injure many people quickly
die down
Same down pattern: less
Feelings or excitement gradually become calmer; Become less strong, loud or active
dress down
Same down pattern: less
Wear less formal clothes than usual
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