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3. all the worse for wear

all the worse for wear

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all the worse for wear

Shabby or beat-up from use. People sometimes use this phrase to describe themselves after enduring something emotionally or physically taxing. The books that were in my bag when I got caught in the downpour look all the worse for wear now. I'm afraid they might fall apart altogether! The nights of sleep deprivation with a newborn have left me all the worse for wear—I could fall asleep standing up!

See also: all, wear, worse