wear thin

1. Become less convincing, acceptable, or popular, as in His excuses are wearing thin . [First half of 1990s] Both usages transfer the thinning of a physical object, such as cloth, to nonmaterial characteristics.

2. Be weakened or diminished gradually, as in My patience is wearing thin . [Late 1800s]

Example Sentences

They filled in the cracks when veteran players slumped, or when the bullpen would wear thin.

From Los Angeles Times

“The patience of our members is wearing thin. They are tired of struggling to survive on low wages that have remained stagnant for years.”

From Los Angeles Times

But after a weekend dominated by a controversy over his behaviour in news conferences, Verstappen made it clear his patience was wearing thin.

From BBC

At the same time, there is also a deeper question – is the GAA’s patience with the Casement project wearing thin?

From BBC

Back in the 1990s, videos bringing together the best from around the world – sample title: Lightning Strikes - would be passed around schoolyards until the tape wore thin.

From BBC

Related Words

• erode
• frazzle
• unravel
• wear away