wear down

zermürben, erschöpfen

Jemanden nach und nach körperlich oder geistig sehr müde machen.

In einfachem Englisch: To gradually make someone very tired in their body or mind.

• The long hours wear me down.
• Months of worry wore him down.
• She felt worn down by the constant noise.

So benutzt man es: wear someone down (Working nights has worn her down.)

Synonyme: exhaust, tire out, drain

Gegenteile: energize, refresh

Häufige Wendungen: wear someone down, wear down someone

mürbe machen, zermürben

Immer wieder auf jemanden einwirken, bis er nachgibt oder nicht mehr widerstehen kann.

In einfachem Englisch: To keep trying until someone gives in or can no longer fight against you.

• The children kept asking and wore me down.
• Repeated attacks wore down the enemy's defenses.
• She finally wore him down and he agreed to help.

So benutzt man es: wear someone down (They wore him down with repeated requests.)

Synonyme: overcome, break down

Häufige Wendungen: wear someone down, wear down resistance

abnutzen, sich abnutzen

Durch Reiben oder Benutzen kleiner oder glatter werden oder etwas so verändern.

In einfachem Englisch: To make something smaller or smoother through repeated rubbing or use, or become smaller this way.

• The soles wear down quickly.
• Years of footsteps wore down the stone steps.
• Grinding your teeth can wear them down.

So benutzt man es: wear something down (Flowing water wears the rocks down.)

Synonyme: erode, abrade

Häufige Wendungen: wear down something, wear something down, wear down slowly