wear off
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (Phrasal Verb): 1. To gradually diminish, decrease, or disappear: To lose strength, intensity, or effect over a period of time. 2. To be removed or eroded through friction or use: To become thinner, smoother, or less distinct due to repeated contact or abrasion.
Usage and Examples
- The effects of the painkiller will wear off in about four hours.
- The novelty of the new toy quickly wore off, and the child lost interest.
- The paint on the sign has worn off after years of exposure to the weather.
- My initial excitement about the move began to wear off as the reality of packing set in.
Advanced Usage
- "to wear off on someone": (Idiomatic) To gradually influence someone through close association.
- His positive attitude is starting to wear off on the rest of the team.
Variants and Related Words
- Wear away (phrasal verb): To gradually remove or be removed by friction, erosion, or use. Often used more for physical erosion.
- The river wore away the rock over centuries.
- Wear out (phrasal verb): To use something so much that it becomes unfit for use; to exhaust.
- He wore out his shoes from running.
- The long journey wore the children out.
Synonyms
- Fade: To lose brightness, loudness, or strength gradually.
- Subside: To become less intense, violent, or severe.
- Diminish: To make or become less.
- Erode: To be gradually worn away.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Rub off: To be removed by rubbing; can be used similarly to "wear off" for transferred qualities (e.g., ).
Related Idioms
- The shine wears off: Used to describe when something new and exciting loses its appeal and becomes ordinary.
- After a few months, the shine wore off the new job and the daily routine became tedious.
Verb
- diminish, as by friction
- Erosion wore away the surface
- deteriorate through use or stress
- The constant friction wore out the cloth