wearing-down
wearing-down — 慣用語
1. the slow, steady process of draining a person's energy and spirit so that they s
逐漸耗盡
使人的精力與意志慢慢流失的過程
the slow, steady process of draining a person's energy and spirit so that they struggle to handle their difficulties
The wearing-down of Hassan's enthusiasm was plain to see after months of rejected proposals.
提案連續數月被拒後，Hassan 的熱情明顯被逐漸耗盡。
collocation: wearing-down of [someone's quality]
Andrés watched the slow wearing-down of his mother's strength during the long hospital stay.
Andrés 目睹母親的體力在漫長的住院期間被逐漸耗盡。
Endless interruptions at work caused a wearing-down of Sivan's ability to concentrate.
工作時無休止的干擾使 Sivan 的專注力被逐漸耗盡。
Putri described the wearing-down of her spirit after years in an unappreciated role.
Putri 描述自己在多年不被賞識的工作中，意志如何被逐漸耗盡。
Jack noticed a gradual wearing-down of team trust every time a promise was broken.
Jack 發現每當有人食言，團隊信任就會被逐漸磨掉一些。
- exhaustion
focuses more on the physical end-state of being drained; wearing-down emphasises the slow, ongoing process
- burnout
a state of complete mental and physical collapse, typically from overwork; wearing-down is the gradual buildup that leads there
- attrition
used in military or business contexts for wearing down an opponent's strength; wearing-down is broader and more personal
- rejuvenation
the process of restoring energy and vitality
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'of' and a noun phrase naming what is being drained: the wearing-down of [someone's spirit / confidence / health / morale].
wearing-down — 動詞
- wearing-downpresent simple I / you / we / they
- wearing-downs3rd person singular
- wearing-downing-ing form
- wearing-downedpast simple
1. to weaken a person's determination or resistance by applying steady, unrelenting
磨垮
以持續壓力削弱對方，直到其屈服
to weaken a person's determination or resistance by applying steady, unrelenting pressure until they finally give way
Reuben's cheerful persistence eventually wore down the grumpy librarian's resistance to new ideas.
Reuben 開朗的堅持最終磨垮了那位暴躁圖書館員對新事物的抗拒。
wear down + [someone's resistance]
The prosecutor tried to wear down the witness by asking the same question seven times.
檢察官把同一個問題重複問了七遍，試圖磨垮證人。
Pedro knew the long trek through the mountains would wear down even the fittest hikers.
Pedro 知道這趟長途山路健行會磨垮隊伍裡即使體能最好的成員。
Water seeping into the same crack can wear down solid rock over many centuries.
水滴滲入同一道裂縫，經過數百年也能磨垮堅硬的岩石。
Emre's little girl wore him down with hugs and pleading until he agreed to get a puppy.
Emre 的小女兒用擁抱和撒嬌磨垮了他，直到他答應養小狗。
- grind down
carries a stronger sense of oppression or cruelty; wear down is more neutral and can be affectionate
- sap
focuses narrowly on draining energy or strength; wear down includes weakening resistance and determination as well
- erode
often applied to abstract things like confidence or trust through small, repeated actions; wear down works for both people and physical surfaces
- invigorate
to fill with energy and strength
- fortify
to strengthen against attack or pressure
文法句型
wear down + [someone/something]
wear + [someone/something] + down
用法筆記
Object is typically a person, their resistance, or a physical surface. Often used with 'gradually' or 'slowly' to emphasise the extended timeframe. In informal contexts, can describe affectionate persistence (a child pleading) as well as adversarial pressure.