Wear thin
Meaning
To gradually diminish in effectiveness, patience, or tolerance, often to the point of becoming exhausted or unacceptable.
Origin
The phrase "wear thin" draws its vivid imagery from the literal observation of physical objects, such as fabric, carpet, or even shoes, becoming threadbare, tattered, and transparent from repeated use and friction. This natural process of material losing its substance and integrity over time provided a powerful metaphor for more abstract concepts. By the 19th century, this literal sense extended to metaphorical applications, describing how patience, an excuse, or even a person's welcome could diminish or become exhausted. The image evokes something on the brink of breaking or becoming completely transparent, signifying a loss of resilience or acceptability.
Examples
- After three consecutive nights of disrupted sleep, her patience with the noisy neighbors began to wear thin.
- The politician's repeated promises without any action caused public trust to wear thin among the electorate.