thoroughly worn out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thoroughly worn out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely exhausted, depleted, or no longer functional due to extensive use or wear. Example: "After years of use, my favorite pair of shoes is now thoroughly worn out and needs to be replaced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

By this time, she was thoroughly worn out and was therefore placed in reserve shortly after completing the refit.

Wikipedia

No more thoroughly worn out kids who fall asleep in minutes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You definitely lived up to the words of Hunter S. Thompson: "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow!

The New York Times

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and proclaiming "Wow, what a ride"!

Huffington Post

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, champagne in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, 'Woo Hoo!

Huffington Post

As someone said, "Life isn't a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, latte in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, 'Woohoo, WHAT A RIDE!'".

Huffington Post

"Worn out".

The New York Times

I was worn out".

The New York Times - Sports

"He was just worn out".

The New York Times

Is the elastic worn out?

WikiHow

His characters seem to rest wherever they fall, and wear out more shoe leather than Harrison Ford in "The Fugitive," on the run from an unhappiness dogging them so thoroughly they'd have to be flayed to shed it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an object as "thoroughly worn out", consider adding specific details about the nature of the wear. For instance, instead of just saying 'the shoes were thoroughly worn out', specify 'the shoes were thoroughly worn out, with holes in the soles and frayed laces'.

Common error

Avoid using "thoroughly worn out" to describe temporary tiredness. It's better suited for describing items or systems that have undergone significant and lasting degradation due to prolonged use or age, not someone who's just had a long day.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly worn out" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, providing detail about its condition. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thoroughly worn out" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe something that is completely exhausted or depleted due to wear. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests it's suitable for various contexts, from describing physical objects to a state of being. While not overly common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and Huffington Post, indicating its acceptability in standard English. When using the phrase, ensure the context aligns with its meaning of complete and extensive wear or exhaustion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely exhausted

Emphasizes the state of being utterly depleted of energy or resources.

utterly depleted

Highlights the significant reduction of resources or energy to near zero.

completely knackered

A British slang term indicating extreme tiredness or broken condition.

totally spent

Focuses on the complete consumption of energy or resources.

used up entirely

Stresses the comprehensive utilization of something until nothing remains.

in a state of disrepair

Highlights the deterioration and need for repair due to extensive use.

given out

Indicates a cessation of function due to prolonged use or stress.

at the end of its life

Focuses on the nearing or already reached point of obsolescence or failure.

past its prime

Highlights the decline in quality or functionality from a previous peak.

had its day

Suggests something has been useful or popular but is now outdated or ineffective.

FAQs

What does "thoroughly worn out" mean?

The phrase "thoroughly worn out" describes something that is completely exhausted, depleted, or no longer functional due to extensive use or wear.

What can I say instead of "thoroughly worn out"?

You can use alternatives like "completely exhausted", "utterly depleted", or "totally spent" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "thoroughly worn out"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Thoroughly" is an adverb modifying the adjective phrase "worn out".

Can "thoroughly worn out" be used to describe a person?

Yes, "thoroughly worn out" can describe a person, indicating they are extremely tired or depleted of energy. However, phrases like "completely exhausted" or "totally spent" might be more common in that context.