fray at the edges

fray at the edges

1. Literally, to become worn along the edges, as of fabric. I think it's time for us to get a new blanket—this one has frayed at the edges.
2. To become less successful or harmonious. Our roommate relationship is starting to fray at the edges now that Pat has begun leaving his stuff, including dirty dishes, all over the apartment.
See also: edge, fray

fray at the edges

or

fray around the edges

If something or someone frays at the edges or frays around the edges, they gradually become weaker or less successful. The government's army has begun to fray at the edges. By this time, their partnership had begun to fray around the edges. Note: You can also talk about something being frayed at the edges or frayed around the edges. At 72, his voice is sometimes a little frayed around the edges, but that just adds to its charm. Note: If a piece of cloth or rope frays, its threads or fibres start to come apart.
See also: edge, fray

ˌfray at/around the ˈedges/ˈseams

start to come apart or to fail: Support for the leader was fraying at the edges.
If cloth frays, the threads in it start to come apart.
See also: around, edge, fray, seam
References in periodicals archive ?
Working class mums and wives bought a pack of leather elbows and cuffs and sewed them on to smarten a jacket that had been worn so often it had begun to fray at the edges.
What a change since I was a lad
Laidlaw, though, ensured his team was not behind for long with two more flawless kicks as Japanese discipline - so clean against South Africa - began to fray at the edges.
Scots off to a flyer as Blossoms fall
This town will fray at the edges because we have not got the money," he said.
Anger as council approves cuts
As we approach the first anniversary of this coalition, isn't the truth that it is already beginning to fray at the edges as both parties realise that a marriage of convenience is no substitute for voting for what you believe in?
CLEGG FACES HUGE POLL BACKLASH; Lib Dems braced for double whammy in elections and AV
Murray was playing better and with more authority while Monfils was beginning to fray at the edges.
MURRAY BREEZES BY GAEL; Andy in to last eight
These reinforcing effects mean that our social fabric can fray at the edges, like a yarn that comes loose at the end of a crocheted sweater," said Cacioppo, the Tiffany and Margaret Blake Distinguished Service Professor in Psychology.
Loneliness is contagious
As secrets fester and are revealed, the seemingly close-knit Bramble family begins to fray at the edges.
The Brambles
The shots of Hollywood from its origins into the '50s are indispensable, but strangely, when the town begins to fray at the edges after WWII, the docu also seems to veer from its sense of purpose.
FOREVER HOLLYWOOD
And don't forget speaking engagements, in which anecdotes from the arena of competition can be told until they fray at the edges.
A LIFE BEYOND THE COURT\Abdul-Jabbar has found fulfillment in writing
Crown were beginning to fray at the edges allowing the Walton attack to press home their advantage.
Crown pay for errors; Many changes but Scissett side's defensive frailties remain
AN oddball love story by the popular Irish novelist hints that he's starting to fray at the edges.
WEEKEND: BOOKS: Writer's writer is a little tired
Soon, these "visions" begin to undermine the Hausers' not-so-tranquil domesticity, and this model American family begins to fray at the edges.
Dimly Perceived Threats to the System
Their psychological head-to-head is the centrepiece of this tense, claustrophobic thriller as Hearst's story begins to fray at the edges.
4 play: What's new on CD, film, video and DVD
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