Explanation of "Wasting Away"
Definition: "Wasting away" refers to a gradual decrease in size or strength of a part of the body, often due to illness or not using that part. It can mean losing weight or muscle, making someone look weaker.
Usage Instructions:
Noun Form: The phrase "wasting away" is often used as a noun.
Context: You can use it when talking about health, especially in relation to diseases or conditions that cause someone to lose weight or muscle.
Example:
Advanced Usage:
In more advanced contexts, "wasting away" can be used metaphorically to describe not only physical decline but also emotional or social decline. For example: - "Without proper care and attention, the community was wasting away, losing its vibrancy and spirit."
Word Variants:
Wasting (verb): The act of losing strength or size.
Waste (noun): Refers to something that is not used and is thus lost.
Wasted (adjective): Refers to someone who is weak or thin, often due to illness or substance abuse.
Different Meanings:
Physical Health: As discussed, it refers to the loss of muscle or weight.
Metaphorical: It can also mean losing potential or opportunities in life, such as:
Synonyms:
Atrophy: A medical term that specifically refers to the wasting away of body tissue.
Decline: Can refer to a decrease in health or quality.
Deteriorate: To become worse in condition or quality.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
"Waste away" is also used as a phrasal verb, meaning to gradually become weaker or thinner.
"Wasting time": This idiom means to spend time doing something unproductive.
Summary:
"Wasting away" is a term used to describe a decrease in size or strength, mainly due to health issues.