did I just wear you all down?

[hanky]

"Did I really earn this, or did I just wear you all down?"

What does "did I just wear you all down?" mean?

Thanks a lot.

 

[sarat_106]

"Did I really earn this, or did I just wear you all down?"

What does "did I just wear you all down?" mean?

Thanks a lot.

This can be a response after a long and tiring interview when the selectors unanimously announced your selection/success that took you by surprise, because you carried on with your witty answers, thereby prolonging the interview and keep them engaged till all of them feel exhausted. Normally, the selectors have the upper hand to wear the candidate down.

It can be simply rephrased as: Am I really worthy of this honor, or did I only make you all feel exhausted after such a long interview, instead of the other way round?

 

[BobK]

This was Sandra Bullock receiving her Oscar. It struck me as a bit strange when I heard it - since, as in the case of that 'interview' example, it suggests persistence - as if SB had kept on trying to win an Oscar. (Perhaps I'm being naive, thinking that earning a nomination is a result of spectacular work as an actor rather than hard work as a self-publicist.)

I also wondered whether she was using the 'southern' y'all, to make herself sound more folksy - but I have no idea where she comes from.

b