wear out
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out
Meanings
Become unusable through use
Why “out”? Something is used until nothing is left. Energy, supply, fire, and time all reach zero.
“These shoes have worn out.”
“The old tyres wore out.”
Don't confuse with
Wear out means become unusable through use. Wear down means gradually make something or someone weaker.
Test yourself
“These shoes have worn out.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
wear down
A contrast learners often mix up
Gradually make something or someone weaker
blow out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Extinguish a flame by blowing
burn out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Become exhausted from overwork; (of a fire) Stop burning because there is no fuel left; (of an electrical device) Stop working because of overheating; Destroy a building or vehicle by fire
chill out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Relax and stop being anxious
close out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
End or settle a process or account
conk out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Stop working suddenly, especially of an engine or machine
die out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Gradually disappear
dry out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Become or make completely dry
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