wear and tear

American  

[tair] / tɛər /

Or wear-and-tear

noun

1. damage or deterioration resulting from ordinary use; normal depreciation.

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wear and tear British  

noun

1. damage, depreciation, or loss resulting from ordinary use

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wear and tear Idioms  

1. Damage and deterioration resulting from ordinary use and exposure, as in This sofa shows a lot of wear and tear; we should replace it. [Second half of 1600s]

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Etymology

Origin of wear and tear

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

The wear and tear of working in warehouses for 20 years has also aggravated his health issues.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

Together, these findings strengthen the idea that aging is not simply the result of wear and tear across the body.

From Science Daily • May 24, 2026

A new study aims to put a dollar figure on the total wear and tear on the country’s urban infrastructure, and arrives at $1.03 trillion.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Some examples of normal wear and tear include faded paint, worn carpeting and small holes from nails used to hang art.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

Cymbeline was smiling too, though the wear and tear of the night could be seen all over her tired face.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older

Related Words

• depletion
• depreciation
• erosion