E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Used Up.
Worn out, tired out, utterly fatigued, or exhausted. Used up alludes to articles used up. Worn out alludes to dresses and articles worn out by use. Exhausted alludes to wells, water, etc., dried up. Tired out means tired utterly.
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“Being out night after night, she got kinder used up.”—Sam Slick: Human Nature, p. 192.
