grind down
To slowly crush or tire someone out through pressure, or to make something smaller by rubbing it against a hard surface.
Meanings
To wear something away physically by grinding or abrasion until it is smaller or smoother.
"He used a file to grind down the sharp edge of the metal bracket."
To exhaust, demoralize, or weaken someone through relentless pressure, hardship, or oppression.
"Years of poverty and overwork had ground her down until she had almost no energy left to fight."
""The system is designed to grind you down.""
— Commonly attributed paraphrase of George Orwell's themes in '1984' and 'The Road to Wigan Pier'; widely used in political commentary.
To gradually overcome opposition or resistance through persistent, relentless effort.
"The army slowly ground down the enemy's defenses over several weeks of sustained bombardment."
The figurative sense (demoralizing someone) is more common in everyday speech. Often used in political or social commentary to describe oppressive systems. The literal sense refers to physical abrasion.
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Synonyms
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