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The Collaborative International Dictionary
worn to a frazzle

Frazzle \Fraz"zle\, n.

  1. The act or result of frazzling; the condition or quality of being frazzled; the tag end; a frayed-out end. [Prov. Eng. & U. S.]

    My fingers are all scratched to frazzles.
    --Kipling.

  2. a state of extreme exhaustion; -- often used in the phrase

    worn to a frazzle. [WordNet sense 1]

    Gordon had sent word to Lee that he ``had fought his corps to a frazzle.''
    --Nicolay & Hay (Life of Lincoln).

Usage examples of "worn to a frazzle".

Nerve enough I had, but I was played out, worn to a frazzle by the exhaustion of weeks of running, piled onto the wounds I'd had.

Before I finally got them rounded up again, my buckskin was worn to a frazzle and so was my patience, but I did get them together and headed for the plain.

She was undoubtedly worn to a frazzle, with the riding and the worry over what was to become of her.

Nerve enough I had, but I was played out, worn to a frazzle by the exhaustion of weeks of running, piled onto the wounds I'.

Come here on a Friday night, and you'll find a long line of customers and two dozen shop girls worn to a frazzle!

Broadax was worn to a frazzle as she and her marines protected the crew and the ship from the ravaging hordes of Stolsh dockside idlers who would steal incoming supplies.

Besides, I seem to remember you claiming that young Skif had you worn to a frazzle before the circuit was over.