ENGLISH
REFERENCE

worse for wear

idiom
Meaning

In poor physical condition due to long or heavy use.


Examples
SIMPLE

My shoes look worse for wear after the hike.

CONTEXTUAL

The old sofa was worse for wear after years of kids jumping on it.

COMPLEX

The family car, once a gleaming source of pride, sat in the driveway worse for wear, its paint faded and bumper dented from a decade of road trips and winters.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    does the Pope wear a funny hat

    Obviously! Rhetorical question in response to a question where the answer is an emphatic yes.

  2. 02

    if the shoe fits, wear it

    If a description fits, it is probably the case; if an insult accurately describes you, you must bear it; if you take offence at an insult that was only implicitly directed at you, you admit the insult is true enough to be recognizable.

  3. 03

    make matters worse

    To worsen an already difficult situation or unfavourable set of circumstances, typically by acting rashly, foolishly, or incompetently.

  4. 04

    one's bark is worse than one's bite

    One acts in a threatening way but is relatively harmless.

  5. 05

    take a turn for the worse

    To start to become worse; to worsen.

  6. 06

    wear one's heart on one's sleeve

    To be very transparent, open, or forthright about one's emotions.

  7. 07

    wear out one's welcome

    To behave in an offensive, burdensome, or tiresome manner, with the result that one's continued presence is unwanted within a residence, commercial establishment, or social group.

  8. 08

    wear rose-colored glasses

    To see the positive in things while being oblivious to the negative.

© 2026 English Reference