the worse for wear

Related to the worse for wear: without a hitch, none the worse for wear

worse for wear

Shabby, damaged, or beaten up from use. Sometimes used to describe people after they endure something emotionally or physically taxing. The books that were in my bag when I got caught in the downpour are the worse for wear now. I'm afraid they might fall apart altogether! I'm feeling a bit worse for wear thanks to many sleepless nights with the new baby.
See also: wear, worse
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

worse for wear

 
1. Euph. intoxicated. You were the worse for wear last night. The three came stumbling in, the worse for wear again.
2. damaged or worn through use. Eventually, every machine becomes worse for wear, you know. The truth is it's the worse for wear; you will just have to get a new one.
3. injured. Tom fell into the street and he's much the worse for wear. Fred had a little accident with his bike and he's the worse for wear.
See also: wear, worse
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

worse for wear

Also, the worse for the wear. In poor physical condition owing to long use; also, drunk. For example, This television set is really worse for the wear; we'll have to replace it, or He'd better not drive home; he's definitely the worse for the wear. [c. a.d. 1000] For an antonym, see none the worse for.
See also: wear, worse
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the worse for wear

COMMON
1. If someone is the worse for wear, they are tired or injured. In the fourth round both fighters suffered cuts over the eyes, and the champion was beginning to look the worse for wear.
2. If someone is the worse for wear, they are drunk. He turned up at one important function two hours late and noticeably the worse for wear.
See also: wear, worse
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

the worse for wear

1 damaged by use or weather over time; battered and shabby. 2 (of a person) feeling rather unwell, especially as a result of drinking too much alcohol. informal
See also: wear, worse
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the ˌworse for ˈwear

(informal)
1 in a poor condition because of being used a lot: Your dictionary is looking a bit the worse for wear. Isn’t it time you bought a new one?
2 drunk: Ellen came back from the pub rather the worse for wear.
See also: wear, worse
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • worse for wear
  • be all the worse for wear
  • all the worse for wear
  • burden
  • bear the burden (of something)
  • back-breaking
  • soldier
  • blow this/that for a game of soldiers
  • after the storm comes a calm
References in periodicals archive
while Joe seems the worse for wear and keeps shades on FEAST OF FUN Carly laughs with pals in sunshine at the outdoor brunch SO HAPPY Carly and Joe have tender hug yesterday
It's other-half-time.
In fine Whistler tradition, the beer flowed freely and as a result, this morning many of the brunch attendees looked the worse for wear. "It's tough making speeches after three days of being totally wasted," said filmmaker Kenny Hotz, as he took the stage to accept the $10,000 inaugural Phillip Borsos Award, named in honour of the late B.C.
Whistler Film Festival (12/2-5/04)
Kate, age 11, loses her precious school hat to the ocean only to find it returned little the worse for wear. The nine-year-old twins join the Gang of the Black Hand and have a great adventure: James stows away in a pipe on a barge, while John spends a day with a rich family and wins their treasure hunt.
The Family from One End Street
Q: My bedroom floorboards are looking the worse for wear but I don't want to put down a carpet.
Quick answers to tricky DIY questions
An onlooker said: "He still looked a bit the worse for wear but it was nice for Paul to take an interest."
John plays Dads United!
For three years he traced the route of Lewis and Clark and did see the Yellowstone before returning to his cabin in Missouri, none the worse for wear. Three years after his return, at age 86, Boone died peacefully at home.
Letters
Those virtues, somewhat the worse for wear to be sure, were handed down to the friars by the older monastic orders, while St.
Agostino Paravicini-Baglioni, The Pope's Body & Katherine Ludwig Jansen, The Making of the Magdalen: Preaching and Popular Devotion in the Later Middle Ages
Fortunately, the collector discovered his stamp's absence before the vacuum cleaner's bag was emptied, and there the stamp was found, considerably the worse for wear.
Stamps of approval
"The pigs weren't any the worse for wear; they just didn't have any copper in their serum,' says Norman Steele, of the Research Center in Beltsville, Md.
The fructose connection: copper and heart disease
Saturdays star Una Healy looks ever so slightly the worse for wear after her hen night in London.
I've had too many
She's by no means,= worth a fortune In fact she's quite the worse for wear Minus one wing, and God love her halo Is a trifle lopsided, as I lovingly place her On the tree, I'm transported back to 33B There she is sitting pretty on top of the tree A shining beacon in our tenement window Sixty years later that same illuminated angel Continues to glow, if I stare long enough She breaks into a smile, a festive treasure From Christmas past, happy Christmas folks!
Your Poem A CHRISTMAS TREASURE
Today we feature Newcastle's magnificent Grey Street - looking the worse for wear - but in what year?
Name the Year
Normally demure Nicola, 24, right, looked the worse for wear as she celebrated with boyfriend Charlie Fennell at the May Fair hotel.
Nicola's excess factor.. the Razz
The dogs were later released none the worse for wear.
Ratters rescued
THIGH'S THE LIMIT: A right knees-up; MEMENTOE: Sarah's wellies are the worse for wear
RADAR: TOE-TAL RECALL; SUZANNE KERINS WITH THE DIRT ON THE READING FESTIVAL