wear away—
1. be reduced through constant pressure, friction, etc.:
- With the passing of the years, the finer detail of the carvings has almost worn away.
2. (of a person) become progressively weaker:
- After the operation, she just seemed to wear away until she died.
3. (of time) pass slowly:
- As the afternoon wore away, I found it more and more difficult to stay awake.
wear off—
1. = wear away 1:
- Don’t polish those badges: the gilt will wear off in time if you do.
2. (of a feeling or effect) disappear gradually; no longer affect one:
- The drink inside them had worn off, leaving only a sour feeling in the stomach.