- worse for wear
- the worse for wear1. Euph. intoxicated. •
You were the worse for wear last night.
•The three came stumbling in, the worse for wear again.
2. damaged or worn through use. •Eventually, every machine becomes worse for wear, you know.
•The truth is it's the worse for wear; you will just have to get a new one.
3. injured. •Tom fell into the street and he's much the worse for wear.
•Fred had a little accident with his bike and he's the worse for wear.
* * *{adj. phr.} Not as good as new; worn out; damaged by use. - Used with "the". * /Her favorite tablecloth was beginning to look the worse for wear./ - Often used with "none" to mean: as good as new. * /The doll was Mary's favorite toy but it was none the worse for wear./
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.