wear down

verb

1. to consume or be consumed by long or constant wearing, rubbing, etc
2. to overcome or be overcome gradually by persistent effort

Idioms and Phrases

Diminish, weaken, or tire by relentless pressure, as in The heels of these shoes are quite worn down , or Her constant nagging about getting a new car wore down his resistance . [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Days and weeks of eating nothing but grilled chicken and vegetables can wear down even the most dedicated of individuals.

From The Daily Beast

From the first he saw that the one and only way to wear down the Spanish resistance was to capture the fortresses.

From Project Gutenberg

The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.

From Project Gutenberg

After a time the cutting edges of the file teeth will wear down and it will be necessary to replace the file by another.

From Project Gutenberg

His policy was to wear down the Germans by provoking attacks in which they were likely to lose more men than the Allies.

From Project Gutenberg

I won't,' said the mouse, 'I'm not going to wear down my teeth for that.'

From Project Gutenberg