fray

Everyday

1. If cloth or rope frays, its threads come loose at the edge and it starts to wear out. tree →
2. If someone's nerves or temper fray, they become tense and start to get annoyed. tree →
3. The fray is a fight, argument or competition: «join the fray», «enter the fray». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, jeans, shoelaces and ropes fray with use; in safety, a frayed rope or electric cable is dangerous and should be replaced. In stories and news, people «jump into the fray» of an argument or battle. Phrases: «frayed edges», «tempers frayed», «join the fray», «above the fray».

Examples

• The edges of my jeans have started to fray. tree →
• Never use a frayed electric cable. tree →
• Tempers frayed as the long car journey went on. tree →
• Another team entered the fray in the second half. tree →
• The knight rode into the fray. tree →
• Her nerves were frayed before the exam. tree →
• Then the ten thousand mighty lions joined the fray and tore in pieces man and horse. tree →

Note

Regular verb: frayed. «Frayed» describes worn cloth or tired, edgy nerves. «Stay above the fray» means do not get involved in an argument.