wear and tear

Or wear-and-tear

[tair]

noun

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

wear and tear

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of wear and tear¹

First recorded in 1660–70

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

The three-time British and Irish Lions tourist made the announcement two months before the start of the Rugby World Cup, citing wear and tear on his body.

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His style does not depend so much on explosive speed, but rather on experience and the progressive wear and tear of his opponent.

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As time has passed, wear and tear on the surfaces has grown considerably, particularly with potholes.

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It was a newly installed hybrid field of rye and synthetic grass that could endure the wear and tear of 300-pound combatants.

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Again, there were signs of wear and tear as he called for the physio to treat a neck issue and then a problem with his right forearm against German Struff.

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Related Words

• depletion www.thesaurus.com
• depreciation 
• erosion