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grind sb down

phrasal verb with grind
 
 
/ɡraɪnd/ verb [T] (ground, ground)

Definition

to treat someone so badly for such a long time that they are no longer able to fight back: Ground down by years of abuse, she did not have the confidence to leave him.Treating people or animals badlyInsults and abuseUnkind, cruel and unfeelingViolent or aggressive
(Definition of grind sb down from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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