wear out

[wear out] {v.}

1a. To use or wear until useless.

* /Bobby got a toy truck that would run on a battery, and he used it so much that he soon wore it out./

* /The stockings are so worn out that they can't be mended any more./

Compare: GIVE OUT(4), USE UP. 1b. To become useless from use or wear.

* /The old clock finally wore out./

* /One shoe wore out before the other./

2. or [tire out] To make very tired; weaken.

* /The children played inside when it rained, and they soon wore out their mother./

* /When Dick got home from the long walk, he was all worn out./

- Often used with "oneself".

* /Don't wear yourself out by playing too hard./

Compare: GIVE OUT(4). 3. To make by rubbing, scraping, or washing.

* /The waterfall has worn out a hole in the stone beneath it./

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms


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