Definition

1. Noun:

   • A state of extreme physical or mental exhaustion: "frazzle" refers to a condition of being completely worn out, depleted of energy or patience.
   • A frayed, worn, or tattered condition: "frazzle" can also describe something that is worn down to threads or a very damaged state.

2. Verb:

   • To exhaust someone physically or emotionally: To cause someone to become extremely tired or stressed.
   • To wear something away by rubbing or friction until it is frayed: To cause material to become tattered or unraveled.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • After working three double shifts, she was a complete frazzle.
  • The constant stress had reduced him to a frazzle.
  • The old rope had been worn to a frazzle.

• Verb:

  • The long commute and demanding job frazzled her nerves.
  • Years of use had frazzled the edges of the favorite blanket.

Advanced Usage

• "to a frazzle": (idiomatic) To an extreme state of exhaustion or disintegration.

  • The marathon runners were worn to a frazzle by the end of the race.
  • He cooked the steak to a frazzle, leaving it burnt and inedible.

• "beaten to a frazzle": (idiomatic) Thoroughly defeated or exhausted.

  • After the intense negotiation, both parties felt beaten to a frazzle.

Variants and Related Words

• Frazzled (adj): In a state of extreme exhaustion or stress; also, frayed or worn.
  • The frazzled mother finally got the children to bed.
  • The frazzled wire was a safety hazard.

Synonyms

• Noun (exhaustion): exhaustion, burnout, prostration.
• Noun (tatters): shred, tatter, rag.
• Verb (exhaust): exhaust, drain, wear out, fatigue.
• Verb (fray): fray, unravel, wear, tatter.

Related Phrases

• Frazzle out: (informal) To become completely exhausted or to stop functioning.
  • The old engine finally frazzled out on the highway.

Related Idioms

• Worn to a frazzle: Extremely tired or something extremely worn out.
  • By Friday, I'm always worn to a frazzle.

Noun

1. a state of extreme exhaustion
   • he was worn to a frazzle

Verb

1. exhaust physically or emotionally
   • She was frazzled after the visit of her in-laws
2. wear away by rubbing
   • The friction frayed the sleeve