Wear down vs wear out

Question

What is the differnce between wear down and wear out in the following sentence?I feel worn down  and I feel worn out.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

sun 94I feel worn down and I feel worn out.

In my opinion, both expressions are figurative when applied to a person.
If the "lead" of a wooden pencil is "worn down," you can sharpen it and continue to use it.

If the pencil is worn out, you usually throw it away.

With a person, it tends to be the opposite. "To be worn out" is a temporary condition, as "to be exhausted."

Your energy is drained/depleted, and must be replenished/restored. This is a normal cycle.

Often, if I am "worn down," I have been defeated. It tends to refer to my overall approach to a larger task.

My adversaries, or the obstacles, have succeeded in gradually rendering me impotent -- destroying me, as far as the particular task is concerned.

Of course, sometimes people use it the other way.

Wear down vs wear out

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