wear (redirected from wearer)

be the worse for wear

1. if something is the worse for wear, it is in bad condition or damaged because it has been used a lot. This sofa is rather the worse for wear, but it will have to do until we can afford a new one.

2. someone who is the worse for wear is very tired or feeling ill. I drank far too much and woke up the next morning feeling rather the worse for wear.

See also: worse

If the cap fits (wear it). (British, American & Australian, American)

something that you say to tell someone that if they are guilty of something bad, they should accept criticism. Look, I didn't say who was to blame for this mess - but if the cap fits, wear it.

See also: cap, fit

wear and tear

the damage that happens to an object or a person when they are used or when they do something. The guarantee covers accidental damage but not ordinary wear and tear. She made everyone wear slippers inside the house to avoid wear and tear on the carpet. (often + on) The wear and tear of life in a busy office has taken its toll on our staff.

See also: tear

wear your heart on your sleeve

to make your feelings and opinions obvious to other people. John's always worn his heart on his sleeve, so there's no doubt who he'll be supporting.

See also: heart, sleeve

wear the trousers (British, American & Australian, humorous, American & Australian, humorous)

to be the person in a relationship who makes all the important decisions. I don't think there's any doubt about who wears the trousers in their house.

See also: trouser

wear thin

1. if your patience wears thin, you become less and less patient. I've warned you several times about being late and my patience is wearing thin. (often in continuous tenses)

2. if a joke, an excuse, or an explanation wears thin, it becomes less effective because it has been used too much. This excuse about not having enough staff to run the trains is wearing rather thin, don't you think? (often in continuous tenses)

See also: thin

wear someone to a frazzle (informal)

to make someone feel very tired and nervous. She's worn herself to a frazzle trying to get that report finished. (often reflexive) You've been looking after her kids for a month? You must be worn to a frazzle.

wear/work your fingers to the bone

to work very hard for a very long time. I've been working my fingers to the bone to get the dress ready in time for the wedding.

See also: bone, finger, work

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wear and tear

damage from work or use. The house showed lots of wear and tear from the large family who lived in it. Your body suffers a lot of wear and tear from playing football.

See also: tear

wear your heart on your sleeve

to show your feelings, esp. your love for someone. You always know where John stands because he wears his heart on his sleeve.

wear something on your sleeve

See also: heart, sleeve

wear something on your sleeve

to make your feelings or beliefs known to everyone. Some people feel the need to wear their patriotism on their sleeve.

Usage notes: often used in the form wear your heart on your sleeve to make your emotions known to others: I don't like wearing my heart on my sleeve.

See also: sleeve

wear someone out

to make someone very tired. Those kids wore their grandmother out. The journey wore him out, and he went straight to bed as soon as he got to the hotel.

wear out something

to use something so much that it can no longer be used. Randy's been cooking in a kitchen that's so old, almost everything in it has simply worn out. He wore out a pair of running shoes every three months.

Usage notes: sometimes used without something: On rough roads, tires wear out fast.

wear out your/its welcome

to stay somewhere too long, making people tired of seeing you. By the time Buzz left, he had worn out his welcome with almost everyone. The TV comedy hasn't worn out its welcome, probably because its characters are so good.

See also: welcome

wear the pants

to be the person in charge in a marriage or family. She has the best-paid job and she also wears the pants in the family.

Usage notes: used to describe women, as in the example

Etymology: based on the idea that men are traditionally in control and wear trousers

See also: pant

wear thin

to become less effective. It was a constant struggle to get him to do his homework, and finally my patience wore thin. The sort of character Hugh plays has been done so many times, it's beginning to wear thin.

See also: thin

the worse for wear

1. damaged from use. The old picnic table is looking the worse for wear, but it should last another year.

2. tired from hard work. After our dog had her puppies, she definitely looked the worse for wear.

See also: worse