Dic: fray, fray at the eges (some of its meanings as a verb and noun)

fray around, fray at the edges: to start to become less effective or successful.

• This songwriting partnership began to fray at the edges after both partners got married.
• After the spectacular trading profits that month, the risk manual had been getting frayed at the edges; that just tore it up. (sentence modulated from another source)

VERB 1.

If something such as cloth or rope frays, or if something frays it, its threads or fibres start to come apart from each other and spoil its appearance.

.... Cambridge Idioms, Cobuild

***

3. N-SING : the N.

The fray is an exciting or challenging activity, situation, or argument that you are involved in.

• There will have to be a second round of voting when new candidates can enter the fray.
• He would be inspiring young people to get into the political fray.

... Cobuild

(the fray) [sing.] a fight, a competition or an argument, especially one that is exciting or seen as a test of your ability

• They were ready for the fray.
• to enter/join the fray
• At 71, he has now retired from the political fray.

....다음 영어사전(OALD), http://engdic.daum.net/dicen/contents.do?query1=EO00146740