frazzle

be worn to a frazzle

To be highly agitated and perhaps exhausted due to having endured prolonged stress. I'm just worn to a frazzle after a week with my relatives. I'm so glad that they're leaving tomorrow!
See also: frazzle, worn

wear (one) to a frazzle

To cause one to become agitated and/or exhausted due to continued aggravation. Dealing with my relatives always wears me to a frazzle. I'm so glad that they're leaving tomorrow.
See also: frazzle, wear

wear (oneself) to a frazzle

To make oneself exhausted and anxious through too much work, effort, or worry. I wore myself to a frazzle trying to accommodate all our relatives over Christmas. It was nice having them here, but I'm so glad they're gone! They're wearing themselves to a frazzle with how overprotective they are of their kids.
See also: frazzle, wear

worn to a frazzle

Highly agitated and perhaps exhausted due to having endured prolonged stress. I'm just worn to a frazzle after a week with my relatives. I'm so glad that they're leaving tomorrow! Looking after the kids on my own all weekend left me worn to a frazzle. We all felt worn to a frazzle by the end of the three-day seminar.
See also: frazzle, worn
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

wear someone to a frazzle

Fig. to exhaust someone. Her work wears her to a frazzle. Taking care of all those kids must wear you to a frazzle.
See also: frazzle, wear
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

worn to a frazzle

In a state of nervous exhaustion, as in The very idea of moving again has us worn to a frazzle. This expression transfers frazzle, which means "a frayed edge," to one's feelings. [Late 1800s]
See also: frazzle, worn
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

wear yourself to a frazzle

If you wear yourself to a frazzle, you work so hard that you become exhausted and nervous. Why should I wear myself to a frazzle, trying to sort you out? Note: You can also say that someone is worn to a frazzle. His mother had been worn to a frazzle. Guy helped by looking after his sister.
See also: frazzle, wear
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

be burnt, worn, etc. to a ˈfrazzle

(informal) be completely burnt/extremely tired: After working all weekend at the hospital, Deborah was worn to a frazzle.
See also: frazzle
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

worn to a frazzle

Reduced to a state of nervous exhaustion. The word frazzle here means a frayed edge. It originated in America and also gave rise to to be frazzled (be nervously exhausted). The expression appears in one of Joel Chandler Harris’s Uncle Remus stories (1881): “Brer Fox dun know Brer Rabbit uv ole, en he know dat sorter game done wo’ ter a frazzle.”
See also: frazzle, worn
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • be burnt, worn, etc. to a frazzle
  • be worn to a frazzle
  • worn to a frazzle
  • wear (one) to a frazzle
  • wear to a frazzle
  • wear yourself to a frazzle
  • wear (oneself) to a frazzle
  • frost (someone)
  • frosted
  • happy pills
References in periodicals archive
Frazzle, who was sired by King Kong, replaces Gerthatio, who is being retired after serving the herd for the past 16 years and producing close to 1,000 calves.
Ms Tweddle said: "He has been a great bull for the herd and we have high hopes that Frazzle will continue all the good work."
Dairy hopes bull won't be frazzled
The first chick, born on Easter Sunday, was named Wotsit, followed by Quaver on Sunday, Frazzle on Monday and Cheeto, who was born on Tuesday.
Meet Wotsit, Cheeto, Frazzle and Quaver!
"I thought it was very unfair that the driver decided that just because Frazzle is a Staffie that wouldn't be allowed on," said Angela, who lives in Northfield.
Angry: Angela Smith and Frazzle were refused access to travel on the local bus.
Bus ban on breeds is not fair - owner
I've explained babies need lots of care and I'm worn to a frazzle doing my best to keep him and her happy.
Dear Miriam: I'M LEFT HOLDING THE BABY
a pie doesn't take your fancy, then how about a Frazzles scotch egg (PS4)?
bite Stage
weed frazzles you the Simply brush dirt off and if dirt reduces the block's colour scrub using a stiff bristle brush and washing up liquid in hot water.
and if PRODUCT THE OF WEEK TORCH WEED weed propane it frazzles because This is a portable and you it's good to its root system burner, the have to worry about the weed side of things don't weedkiller paving.
DIY Donny diy@sundaymail.co.uk
It looks like a mini tennis racket and, when you press a button on the handle, a small electrical current passes through the "strings" and frazzles any insect you care to wallop.
Buzz off, wasps