Wearing thin
/ˈwɛərɪŋ θɪn/
B2
Definition
The phrase "wearing thin" describes a situation, feeling, or resource that is becoming weak, less strong, or less able to continue because it has been used or tested too much. It often refers to patience, trust, or tolerance that is almost gone.
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See It in Action
Becoming less patient or tolerant
- •Her patience was wearing thin after waiting for hours.
- •The teacher’s tolerance for late homework was wearing thin.
- •His excuses are wearing thin with his friends.
Becoming less effective or strong because of overuse
- •The fabric on the old sofa was wearing thin after many years.
- •The team's enthusiasm was wearing thin after repeated losses.
- •The company's resources were wearing thin due to the long project.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "wearing thin" like "getting tired," but for things like patience or trust, not just people
- ✓Picture an old cloth that has been used many times and now has holes or is very thin and fragile
- ✓It's the feeling when you have waited or listened too long and start to lose your calm or belief
- ✓Sounds like "wearing thin" → imagine clothes getting thinner and almost disappearing because you wear them too much
- ✓Imagine a rope that is slowly fraying (breaking) because it has been pulled many times—it’s almost too weak to hold
- ✓NOT like "strong" (solid and lasting), "wearing thin" means becoming weak and fragile
- ✓NOT like "breaking" suddenly, but slowly becoming less useful or less patient over time
- ✓NOT like "running out" all at once, but gradually losing strength or tolerance
Try Other Words
- •Running out: meaning something is almost finished or no longer available (Use when the resource or patience is about to end completely)
- •Fraying: meaning becoming worn out or weak, especially for fabric or nerves (Use when focusing on physical or emotional weakening)
- •Diminishing: meaning becoming smaller or weaker (Use in formal or general contexts about decrease)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "wearing" (from verb wear = to use or carry something) + "thin" (adjective meaning not thick or strong)
- •Etymology: "Wear" comes from Old English "werian," meaning to carry or have on the body; "thin" from Old English "þynne," meaning not thick
- •Historical development: The phrase "wearing thin" developed as a metaphor comparing physical material becoming thin from use to feelings or things becoming weak from overuse
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe patience, trust, or resources that are almost gone or becoming weak
Reflect & Connect
•How can you tell when someone's patience is wearing thin without them saying it directly?
•Can something positive, like enthusiasm, wear thin? How would you explain that situation?
Fill in the blanks
1.His patience was wearing thin ___ the constant noise and interruptions.
2.When trust is wearing thin, people often feel ___ and uncertain.
3.Unlike sudden anger, wearing thin means feelings or tolerance ___ slowly over time.
4.The phrase "wearing thin" is often used with words like "patience" or "excuses" to show ___.
5.After many problems, the team's motivation was wearing thin, and they needed ___ to continue.
6.When someone's patience is wearing thin, they might ___ their voice or stop listening carefully.
7.The fabric on the old jacket was wearing thin, showing ___ signs of damage.