grind down en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
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(transitive) To make something hard smaller and smoother by gradually rubbing off tiny bits; to wear down by grinding action.
The old dog's teeth had been ground down by constant use.
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(idiomatic, transitive) To weaken someone's morale over a long period.
Djokovic broke twice in each of the opening two sets, dismantling 6ft 8in Anderson's service game and grinding him down in the rallies.
2018 July 15, Jonathan Jurejko, “Novak Djokovic wins fourth Wimbledon by beating Kevin Anderson”, in BBC Sport:I'm living in a world where I don't really fit Every day walking through the same old shit I'm gonna get my gun, gonna get prepared I'm not impressed and I'm not scared Don't let the bastards grind you down! Don't let them grind you down! Don't let the bastards grind you down! Don't let them grind you down!
1997, The Toasters, Don't Let the Bastards Grind You Down:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| grinds down | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| grinding down | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| ground down | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| ground down | Tense=Past | lexicographic |
Relateds
Translations (4)
mi hunga (to wear down) · ru сточи́ть (to wear down) · ru ста́чивать (to wear down) · mi pahunga (to wear down)