wear down
wear off
wear away
wear through
To remove or disappear little by little through use, time, or the action of weather.
Time and weather have worn off the name on the gravestone.
The eraser has worn off my pencil.
The grass has worn away from the path near the house.
If you drag your feet while you walk, you’ll wear down your shoes quickly.
The pounding of ocean waves against the coast gradually wears it away.
Johnny has worn through the seat of his pants.
To lessen; become less little by little.
The people went home as the excitement of the fire wore off.
John could feel the pain again as the dentist's medicine wore away.
My headache isn’t serious. It will wear off after an hour or so.
The effect of the painkilling drug didn’t wear off for several hours.
To exhaust; tire out, win over or persuade by making tired.
Mary wore her mother down by begging so that she let Mary go to the movies.
wear on
To anger or annoy; tire.
Having to stay indoors all day long is tiresome for the children and wears on their mother's nerves.
To drag on; pass gradually or slowly; continue in the same old way.
Johnny tried to wait up for Santa Claus but as the night wore on, he couldn't keep his eyes open.
As the years wore on, the man in prison grew old.
The boys' quarrel wore on all afternoon.
wear one's heart on one's sleeve
pin one's heart on one's sleeve
put one's heart on one's sleeve
To show your feelings openly; show everyone how you feel; not hide your feelings.
She wears her heart on her sleeve. It's easy to see if she is sad or happy.
Sometimes it is better not to pin your heart on your sleeve.
wear out one's welcome
To visit somewhere too long or come back too often so that you are not welcome any more.
The Smith children have worn out their welcome at our house because they never want to go home.
This hot weather has worn out its welcome with us.
wear out
tire out
To use or wear until useless. To make very weary due to difficult conditions or hard effort.
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.
The hot weather tired out the runners in the marathon.
Does studying for final exams wear you out? It makes me feel worn out!
Helga threw away that dress because she had worn it out.
To become useless from use or wear.
The old clock finally wore out.
One shoe wore out before the other.
When I wear out these shoes, I'll have to buy some that last longer.
What do you do with your clothes after you wear them out?
To make very tired; weaken. Often used with oneself.
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.
Don't wear yourself out by playing too hard.
To make by rubbing, scraping, or washing.
The waterfall has worn out a hole in the stone beneath it.
wear the trousers
wear the pants
To have a man's authority; be the boss of a family or household.
Обладать авторитетом среди людей; быть главным в семье, домашнем кругу.
Mr. Wilson is henpecked by his wife; she wears the trousers in that family.
Mrs. Jones talks a lot but Mr. Jones wears the pants in their house.
The salesman hesitated. It was difficult to see who wore the trousers in the couple.
Продавец колебался. Было трудно понять, кто в этой паре главный.
wear thin
To become thin from use, wearing, or the passing of time.
My old pair of pants has worn thin at the knees.
This old dime has worn very thin.
To grow less, or less interesting; decrease.
The joke began to wear thin when you heard it too many times.
The teacher's patience began to wear thin when he saw that no one knew the lesson.
wear well
To continue to be satisfactory, useful, or liked for a long time.
My old overcoat has worn very well.
Their marriage has worn well.
That author wears well.
To carry, accept, or treat properly or well.
Grandfather wears his years well.
Tommy has won many honors but he wears them well.