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
GOOSES. GEESES. I WANT THIS QUIZ ON PLURAL NOUNS!
Test how much you really know about regular and irregular plural nouns with this quiz.
Question 1 of 9
Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
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.