tire him out

USAGE SUMMARY

"tire him out" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to exhaust someone physically or mentally. Example: "I took my energetic dog for a long walk to tire him out before traveling on the plane."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Then that'll tire him out".

The New York Times - Sports

"I shall tire him out," he said.

Independent

I just wanted to tire him out.

The Guardian - Sport

I think it did tire him out.

The Guardian

"I couldn't crop him, couldn't really even tire him out," he recalled.

The New Yorker

Make Steph play defense every time down the court just to tire him out.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

"That middle move tired him out.

The New York Times - Sports

His rheumatoid arthritis was tiring him out.

The Guardian - Books

Taking part in morning rituals had tired him out, he said.

The New York Times

The men in the spangly suits move in, taking the bull around the ring, tiring him out.

The Guardian

And the whole way back home, Andy was saying, 'You only won because I tired him out for you!' It was just hilarious".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tire him out" in sports contexts, consider specifying the method of exhaustion (e.g., "tire him out by making him play aggressive defense").

Common error

While grammatically correct, "tire him out" can sound informal. In formal writing, consider more sophisticated synonyms like "exhaust him" or "deplete his energy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tire him out" functions as a transitive phrasal verb. It requires a direct object ("him") and describes the action of causing someone to become weary or exhausted. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical construction and usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

24%

Sports

16%

Less common in

HuffPost

8%

Reference

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tire him out" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe the act of exhausting someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and general discussions. While acceptable in most settings, it's crucial to consider more formal alternatives like "exhaust him" or "deplete his energy" in academic or professional writing. The choice depends on the specific tone and audience, but, overall, "tire him out" is a perfectly valid and easily understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhaust him

This alternative provides a direct synonym with similar intensity.

wear him down

This alternative implies a gradual reduction of someone's strength or resistance.

fatigue him

This alternative is a more formal synonym for "tire".

drain his energy

This alternative focuses on the depletion of energy resources.

sap his strength

This alternative suggests a gradual and weakening effect.

leave him breathless

This alternative emphasizes the physical effect of exhaustion.

make him weary

This is a more descriptive way to say "tire him out", it focuses on emotional effect.

bring him to his knees

This idiom indicates extreme exhaustion and defeat.

tax his stamina

This alternative focuses on the effect on physical endurance.

push him to the limit

This alternative suggests forcing someone to their maximum capacity.

FAQs

How can I use "tire him out" in a sentence?

You can use "tire him out" to describe the act of exhausting someone, such as "The coach planned to tire him out by making him run extra laps".

What are some synonyms for "tire him out"?

Alternatives include "exhaust him", "wear him down", or "fatigue him".

Is it better to use "tire him out" or "exhaust him"?

The choice depends on the context. "Tire him out" is more informal, while "exhaust him" is more formal and might be preferred in professional or academic writing.

What's the best way to "tire him out" before bedtime?

Engaging in physical activities or mentally stimulating games can effectively "tire him out" before bedtime, promoting better sleep.