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wear out one's welcome

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Visit for longer than one's host wants, as in She wanted to stay another few days but feared she would wear out her welcome. This expression uses wear out in the sense of “exhaust” or “use up.” [Mid-1800s]

VIDEO FOR WEAR OUT ONE'S WELCOME

What Does "Wear Out Your Welcome" Mean?

What does it actually mean to "wear out your welcome"? This woman explains using a story from her college days.

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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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