Phrasal verb
wear out
Meanings
To become damaged, thin, or unusable because of long or repeated use.
To make someone very tired by causing them to use a lot of energy.
Definition
To wear out means to use something so much that it becomes damaged or unusable.
To wear out is to damage something gradually by using it a lot over time. Clothes, shoes, and machines can wear out through repeated use and friction. It can also mean to make someone extremely tired after a lot of effort or activity.
Examples
- I wore out my hiking boots on that long trail.
- You’ll wear out the battery if you leave the flashlight on all night.
- His constant questions wore out the teacher by the end of the day.
- She wore out the carpet where she paced while waiting for the call.
- They wore out the kids with games at the birthday party.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "wear out" with "tear out" (remove by ripping) when they mean damage from long use.