wear down

疲弊させる、消耗させる

人の体や心を、少しずつひどく疲れさせること。

やさしい英語で： 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.

使い方： wear someone down (Working nights has worn her down.)

類義語： exhaust, tire out, drain

反対語： energize, refresh

よく使う表現： wear someone down, wear down someone

根負けさせる、抵抗を弱める

相手が折れるか、もう抵抗できなくなるまで働きかけ続けること。

やさしい英語で： 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.

使い方： wear someone down (They wore him down with repeated requests.)

類義語： overcome, break down

よく使う表現： wear someone down, wear down resistance

擦り減らす、擦り減る

こすれたり使われたりして小さく滑らかになること。また、そうすること。

やさしい英語で： 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.

使い方： wear something down (Flowing water wears the rocks down.)

類義語： erode, abrade

よく使う表現： wear down something, wear something down, wear down slowly