1
general::
Phrase(s): wear someone down
1. Fig. to exhaust someone. • This hot weather wears me down. • The steamy weather wore down the tourists and made them stay in their hotels. 2. Fig. to reduce someone to submission or agreement by constant badgering. • Finally they wore me down and I told them what they wanted to know. • The interrogation wore down the suspect., Phrase(s): wear something down
to grind something away; to erode something. • The constant rubbing of the door wore the carpet down. • The rubbing of the door wore down the carpet., Phrase(s): wear down
Fig. to break down with wear; to erode. • The steps had worn down so much that each one was curved and slanted dangerously.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Diminish, weaken, or tire by relentless pressure, as in The heels of these shoes are quite worn down, or Her constant nagging about getting a new car wore down his resistance. [First half of 1800s]
American Heritage Idioms