drive into the ground
Use until ruined
To drive something into the ground is to overuse, overwork, or exhaust it to the point of ruin or worthlessness.
The expression applies to physical things like equipment or vehicles that get used until they fail, but more often describes abstract subjects: He drove every joke into the ground until nobody laughed anymore.
You can also drive a person into the ground by working them to exhaustion, or drive yourself into the ground through relentless effort without rest.
Toil to exhaustion
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- mistreatTo harm or neglect
- exploitNotable act or abuse
- sweatshopExploitative manufacturing workplace
extract · squeeze · wring · milk · bleed · use up · take advantage · labor
Cause complete ruin
- wreckDestroyed vessel or vehicle
- devastateDestroy thoroughly and completely
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- bankruptUnable to repay debts
demolish · undermine · decimate · squander · mismanage · waste · run aground · tank
Chronic occupational depletion
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- overworkToil to exhaustion
- worn-outDepleted through overuse
- drainedEmptied of resources
spent · depleted · run-down · frazzled · overwhelmed · taxed · overextended · sapped
Overused phrase or idea
- hackneyedOverused and unoriginal
- staleNo longer fresh
- tiredLacking energy, needing rest
- worn-outDepleted through overuse
overplayed · overdone · repetitive · trite · banal · overexposed · saturated · exhausted
overwork
Toil to exhaustion
sweatshop · extract · squeeze · wring · milk · bleed · use up · take advantage · labor · grind
destroy
Cause complete ruin
- wreckDestroyed vessel or vehicle
- devastateDestroy thoroughly and completely
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
bankrupt · demolish · undermine · decimate · squander · mismanage · waste · run aground · tank · torpedo
burnout
Chronic occupational depletion
drained · spent · depleted · run-down · frazzled · overwhelmed · taxed · overextended · sapped · weariness
cliche
Overused phrase or idea
worn-out · overplayed · overdone · repetitive · trite · banal · overexposed · saturated · exhausted · milked
drive into the groundpreserve
Protect from loss
maintain · sustain · conserve · take care of · nurture
drive into the groundnurture
Support growth and development
cherish · treasure · pamper · handle with care · baby
drive into the groundpace oneself
Control one's exertion rate
let up · take it easy · ease up · ration · hold back
drive, drives, driven, driving, driver, drivers, driveway, ground, grounds