worse for wear

English

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

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Adjective

worse for wear

1. (idiomatic) In poor physical condition due to long or heavy use.
   • 2012, David Walliams [pseudonym; David Edward Williams], Ratburger, London: HarperCollins Children’s Books, →ISBN:

     However, before Zoe could open the first cage, Burt’s van, looking decidedly the worse for wear, came thundering into the warehouse, smashing the huge metal sliding door into the air as it did so

2. (idiomatic) Drunk.

Usage notes

Often, but not always, preceded by the.

Synonyms

• (in poor physical condition): See also Thesaurus:deteriorated
• (drunk): See also Thesaurus:drunk

Translations

in poor physical condition due to long or heavy use

• Portuguese: acabado (pt), com mau aspecto, em mau estado
• Russian: потрёпанный (ru) (potrjópannyj), видавший виды (ru) (vidavšij vidy)
• Swedish: skamfilad (sv), åtgången (sv), tilltygad (sv), medfaren (sv), sliten (sv), sjaskig (sv)

drunk

• Dutch: dronken (nl)
• French: soûl (fr)
• Polish: zmęczony życiem
• Portuguese: alegre (pt), bêbado (pt), embriagado (pt)
• Russian: никакой (ru) (nikakoj), совсем плохой (sovsem ploxoj)