wear down

phraseB22 meaningsNot compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

To wear down is to reduce something gradually by use or pressure. Not one blow — thousands of small ones.

The physical sense covers brake pads, steps and heels, all of which disappear slowly. The figurative sense is about resistance, and wearing somebody down means outlasting their objections until they give in, which is a real negotiating tactic and a real parenting experience. It splits round an object. Wear out means to exhaust completely rather than to reduce gradually.

Definitions of wear down

1phrasewear downTo reduce something gradually by friction or use.B2
“Years of traffic will wear down the surface.”
2phraseovercomeTo overcome somebody's resistance by persistence.B2
“They intend to wear down the opposition by simply repeating it.”

Practised in A Man Called Ove, Cutting & Breaking

First appears in chapter 5 of A Man Called Ove.

Practise this word

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wear down

phraseB22 meaningsNot compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

To wear down is to reduce something gradually by use or pressure. Not one blow — thousands of small ones.

Definitions of wear down

1phrasewear downTo reduce something gradually by friction or use.B2
“Years of traffic will wear down the surface.”
2phraseovercomeTo overcome somebody's resistance by persistence.B2
“They intend to wear down the opposition by simply repeating it.”

Practised in A Man Called Ove, Cutting & Breaking

First appears in chapter 5 of A Man Called Ove.

Practise this word