wear down
phrasal verbwear down | wear something down
- to become, or make something become, gradually smaller or smoother through continuous use or rubbing
- Notice how the tread on this tyre has worn down.
wear somebody/something down
- to make somebody/something weaker or less determined, especially by continuously attacking or putting pressure on them or it over a period of time
- Her persistence paid off and she eventually wore me down.
- This relentless pressure began to wear down their resistance.