wear thin
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Be weakened or diminished gradually, as in My patience is wearing thin. [Late 1800s]
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.
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Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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