Fray at/around the edges/seams
verb
To wear out, deteriorate, or unravel, especially slowly or over time.
After years of heavy use, my favorite jeans started to fray at the seams.
Often appears as...
- clothing is starting to fray at the edges
- material may fray at the seams
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To lose strength, become weaker, or less effective.
His patience began to fray around the edges after several hours of negotiations.
Often appears as...
- patience will fray around the edges
- relationship may fray at the seams
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To become less harmonious, cohesive, or united.
Their team began to fray at the seams after several arguments among the members.
Often appears as...
- team may fray at the seams
- unity is starting to fray around the edges
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To wear out, deteriorate, or unravel, especially slowly or over time.
After years of heavy use, my favorite jeans started to fray at the seams.
Often appears as...
- clothing is starting to fray at the edges
- material may fray at the seams
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To lose strength, become weaker, or less effective.
His patience began to fray around the edges after several hours of negotiations.
Often appears as...
- patience will fray around the edges
- relationship may fray at the seams
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To become less harmonious, cohesive, or united.
Their team began to fray at the seams after several arguments among the members.
Often appears as...
- team may fray at the seams
- unity is starting to fray around the edges
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Wear
Describes slow damage to physical objects, suggesting a history of use or age.
The old flag had begun to fray at the edges from years exposed to the wind.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphoric Usage
Often used metaphorically for non-physical things showing signs of strain or failure.
The peace talks seemed to fray at the seams with every passing hour.
Pro Tip 3/3Severity Indicator
Implies a problem isn't immediate but suggests it could worsen without intervention.
The community's trust in the police was beginning to fray around the edges.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Wear
Describes slow damage to physical objects, suggesting a history of use or age.
The old flag had begun to fray at the edges from years exposed to the wind.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphoric Usage
Often used metaphorically for non-physical things showing signs of strain or failure.
The peace talks seemed to fray at the seams with every passing hour.
Pro Tip 3/3Severity Indicator
Implies a problem isn't immediate but suggests it could worsen without intervention.
The community's trust in the police was beginning to fray around the edges.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Wear
Describes slow damage to physical objects, suggesting a history of use or age.
The old flag had begun to fray at the edges from years exposed to the wind.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphoric Usage
Often used metaphorically for non-physical things showing signs of strain or failure.
The peace talks seemed to fray at the seams with every passing hour.
Pro Tip 3/3Severity Indicator
Implies a problem isn't immediate but suggests it could worsen without intervention.
The community's trust in the police was beginning to fray around the edges.
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