Phrasal verbs "wear off" vs "work off"

Differences between wear off and work off

Wear off means to gradually lose its effect or intensity, while work off means to remove or reduce something through physical activity or effort.

Meanings and Definitions: wear off vs work off

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Wear off

  • 1Stop having an effect.

    The anaesthetic WORE OFF and my tooth started hurting.

Work off

  • 1Exercise to remove stress or weight.

    She goes to the gym to WORK OFF her anger.

Usage Examples: wear off, work off in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

wear off

Example

The pain relief from the medicine will wear off in a few hours.

Example

The excitement of the new toy wears off quickly for children.

work off

Example

I need to work off some stress after a long day at work.

Example

He works off his frustration by going for a run.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Wear off

To gradually disappear or become less noticeable over time.

Example

The excitement of the new job offer faded away after she realized the long commute and low salary.

To become less effective or sharp than before.

Example

The painkiller started to lose its edge after a few hours, and he needed to take another dose.

To decrease or reduce in size, amount, or intensity.

Example

The impact of the pandemic on the economy diminished after the government implemented stimulus packages.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Work off

burn off

To eliminate or reduce calories through physical activity or exercise.

Example

She decided to burn off the extra calories from the pizza by going for a run in the park.

To reduce or eliminate debt through regular payments or efforts.

Example

He was able to pay off his student loans after working two jobs for a few years.

To get rid of something unpleasant or unwanted through physical activity or effort.

Example

She tried to shake off the stress of the day by doing some yoga and meditation.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “wear”

Phrasal Verbs with “work”

Phrasal Verbs with “off”

Differences in wear off vs work off: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: wear off or work off?

In daily conversation, people use wear off more often than work off. This is because wear off is used for more common situations such as the effects of medication or the fading of emotions. Work off is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about burning calories or reducing debt. So, while both phrases are used, wear off is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of wear off and work off

Wear off and work off are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of wear off and work off

The tone of wear off and work off can differ based on context. Wear off often carries a neutral or negative tone when related to the loss of effect or feeling, while work off typically has a positive and determined tone, especially when referring to physical activity or debt reduction.

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