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.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Words nearby wear out one's welcome
wearing course, wearisome, wear off, wear one's heart on one's sleeve, wear out, wear out one's welcome, wearproof, wear the pants, wear thin, wear two hats, wear well
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.