Wear thin
verb
To become less effective or interesting with time or overuse.
His excuses are beginning to wear thin.
Often appears as...
- patience can wear thin
- excuses begin to wear thin
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To become less or decrease, often due to constant use or friction.
The carpet has started to wear thin in the high traffic areas.
Often appears as...
- carpet wears thin
- material wears thin
verb
To become less effective or interesting with time or overuse.
His excuses are beginning to wear thin.
Often appears as...
- patience can wear thin
- excuses begin to wear thin
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To become less or decrease, often due to constant use or friction.
The carpet has started to wear thin in the high traffic areas.
Often appears as...
- carpet wears thin
- material wears thin
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Tone
The phrase suggests frustration or annoyance when something repetitive loses its effect or appeal.
Her daily complaints about work have started to wear thin.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
Often used metaphorically to describe non-physical processes like patience.
After the long delay, the audience's patience was wearing thin.
Pro Tip 3/3Overuse Effect
Use it to describe something that becomes less enjoyable or convincing when repeated too often.
The charm of his storytelling is wearing thin with every retelling.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Tone
The phrase suggests frustration or annoyance when something repetitive loses its effect or appeal.
Her daily complaints about work have started to wear thin.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
Often used metaphorically to describe non-physical processes like patience.
After the long delay, the audience's patience was wearing thin.
Pro Tip 3/3Overuse Effect
Use it to describe something that becomes less enjoyable or convincing when repeated too often.
The charm of his storytelling is wearing thin with every retelling.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Tone
The phrase suggests frustration or annoyance when something repetitive loses its effect or appeal.
Her daily complaints about work have started to wear thin.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
Often used metaphorically to describe non-physical processes like patience.
After the long delay, the audience's patience was wearing thin.
Pro Tip 3/3Overuse Effect
Use it to describe something that becomes less enjoyable or convincing when repeated too often.
The charm of his storytelling is wearing thin with every retelling.
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