wear off )
wear off
1. To become eroded, ground, or stripped off, as from prolonged exposure to some destructive element or force. The enamel on your teeth has almost completely worn off, which is why you've been experiencing so much pain when you eat and drink. The protective coating I'd applied to the device is beginning to wear off.
2. To erode, grind, or strip off something as a result of prolonged exposure to some destructive element or force. A noun or pronoun can be used between "wear" and "off." The inclement weather in this region tends to wear the paint off of the houses after only a couple of months.
3. To fade or lessen over time; to gradually cease or dissipate. I'm giving you a mild sedative to help you calm down—it should wear off in about an hour. We'll start driving again once your nausea wears off.
See also: off, wear
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
wear off ((of) something)
[for something] to be ground or rubbed away. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) The paint has worn off the porch steps. The finish is wearing off.
See also: off, wear
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- wear off
- wear away
- wear down
- wear away at
- wear away at (someone or something)
- wear through
- quit
- (someone) (just) doesn't know when to quit
- dishpan hands
- leach out