put through the wringer
Exhaustively interrogated or stressed
To put someone through the wringer is to subject them to a grueling, exhausting ordeal—an experience that leaves them drained or wrung out.
The image comes from old washing machines with rollers that squeezed water from clothes.
The divorce put her through the wringer.
That job interview really put me through the wringer.
- interrogateQuestion formally and persistently
- quizBrief informal test
- examineStudy with attention
- grillCooking surface over fire
- pumpFluid-moving machine
investigate · under the gun · crucible · third degree · baptism of fire · gauntlet · exhaustion · stress · stress test · difficulty · endurance · trial by fire · trial by ordeal · ordeal · run ragged · fortitude · burnout · wrung out
put through the wringerhandle with kid gloves
Treat very carefully
coddle · pamper · baby · mollycoddle · cushion
put through the wringerrefresh
Restore energy or newness
rejuvenate · restore · recharge · revitalize