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

Most of the air pollution I was breathing in came from traffic – billowing invisibly out of exhaust pipes, but also released by the wear and tear of tyres and brakes.

From BBC

Your weight and size will also affect the wear and tear on the mattress you choose and, importantly, how it feels.

From MarketWatch

Never mind that the initiative protected Uber’s business model, which involves sticking its “independent contractor” drivers with the cost of fuel, insurance and wear and tear on their vehicles.

From Los Angeles Times

“Potholes are a natural outcome of wear and tear from cars and vehicles driving, as well as water soaking into asphalt, and it takes time for them to form,” the bureau said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Under the wear and tear allowance, they have been able to reduce their amount of taxable income by 10% to cover the effects.

From BBC

Related Words

• depletion
• depreciation
• erosion