Wear Thin – Meaning and Examples
Patience decreases with repeated annoyances, excuses become less convincing over time, and materials deteriorate with use. In English, we say these things wear thin. This descriptive idiom helps talk about gradual weakening and diminishing effectiveness.
What Does “Wear Thin” Mean?
“Wear thin” means to gradually lose effectiveness, strength, or patience through overuse or repetition. Think of it like a carpet path in a busy hallway—the constant walking makes it thin. It describes how things weaken, become less convincing, or become less tolerable over time.
When to Use It
Use this idiom when talking about diminishing patience with repeated behavior. Use it when excuses or explanations become less believable. Use it for physical materials that are deteriorating. It is a neutral phrase that describes gradual decline in various contexts.
Example Sentences
- His constant complaining is starting to wear thin.
- The carpet by the door has worn thin from all the foot traffic.
- Her excuses about being late are wearing thin with the manager.
- My patience is wearing thin with this endless paperwork.
Mini Dialogue
Manager: “This is the third time this month Mark has missed the deadline with the same excuse.”
Supervisor: “I know—his explanations are starting to wear thin. We need to address this seriously.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Remember, this idiom describes gradual weakening over time. Don’t use it for sudden changes or complete endings.
❌ Don’t say: “My phone battery wore thin suddenly during the call.” (Use “died” or “ran out” instead).
✅ Do say: “After hearing the same story for years, people’s interest has worn thin.”
Practice Tip
Notice something in your life that’s becoming less effective or tolerable over time. Create a sentence like “My [patience/tolerance/interest] is wearing thin because of [repeated situation].” For example, “My patience is wearing thin with the constant construction noise next door.”
Final Note
You now know how to use “wear thin” to describe gradual weakening, diminishing patience, and decreasing effectiveness. This practical phrase will help you talk about things that lose their strength or appeal over time. Use it to describe both physical deterioration and emotional exhaustion from repeated situations!
