1
general::
Phrase(s): wear on someone
Fig. to bother or annoy someone. • We stayed with them only a short time because my children seemed to wear on them. • Always being short of money wears on a person after a while., Phrase(s): wear on (for a period of time)
Fig. [for an event] to continue for a long period of time. • The lecture seemed to wear on for hours. • It wore on until I went to sleep., Phrase(s): wear something (up)on something
to have something on something as clothing or adornment. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) • I wore a lovely diamond pin upon my blouse. • I wore the flower on my lapel., Phrase(s): wear (up)on something
to grind or rub at something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) • The bottom of the door is wearing upon the carpet and leaving marks. • It is wearing on the carpet., Phrase(s): wear (up)on someone
to diminish someone’s energy and resistance; to bore or annoy someone. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) • You could see that the lecture was beginning to wear upon the audience. • This kind of thing really wears on me.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs