patience wears thin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patience wears thin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that someone's tolerance or patience is diminishing or running out. Example: "After waiting for over an hour, my patience wears thin, and I start to feel frustrated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

But if it has no story to tell, patience wears thin.

The Guardian

Our patience wears thin, so thank goodness for the hot firemen in full uniform.

The Guardian - Music

The response for each of these is faster, our patience wears thin.

The Guardian

For most of us, patience wears thin when our blood sugar is low.

The New York Times - Health

But that is easier said than done, especially as exhaustion mounts, patience wears thin, and the disease only gets worse.

The New York Times - Health

It is during the weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year's that ski slopes fill, traffic clogs the streets, patience wears thin at restaurants and crime rises.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Nerves and patience wore thin.

The New York Times - Travel

Her boss had been kind, but patience wore thin.

The New York Times

One customer whose patience wore thin is Bill Hipps.

The New York Times - Tech

The information revolution could lead to patience wearing thin … This could harm medium-term growth.

The New Yorker

Helen gives birth to a daughter, Elise, and finds her patience wearing thin.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "patience wears thin" to effectively convey a sense of growing frustration or decreasing tolerance in situations where delays, annoyances, or difficulties persist.

Common error

Avoid using "patience wears thin" when describing situations that require continuous effort without necessarily causing frustration; instead, focus on terms that highlight perseverance or dedication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patience wears thin" functions as an idiomatic expression, conveying the gradual depletion of one's tolerance or endurance. It is widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig, to express growing frustration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patience wears thin" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express diminishing tolerance, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's a neutral expression frequently found in news and media contexts. Ludwig's analysis shows that while the phrase is suitable for various situations, it's best used when describing a growing sense of frustration. Alternatives include "patience is running out" and "tolerance is fading". Be mindful of the nuance, ensuring it accurately reflects the context of diminishing tolerance rather than simply requiring sustained effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

patience is running out

Focuses on the depletion of patience rather than the act of wearing down.

one is losing patience

States the act of losing patience in the present moment.

tolerance is fading

Emphasizes a decrease in tolerance rather than the exhaustion of patience.

one's patience is exhausted

Highlights the complete depletion of patience.

one's temper is fraying

Implies a state of increasing irritability and loss of composure.

one is reaching their limit

Indicates nearing the point where one can no longer tolerate a situation.

endurance is waning

Focuses on the decline of stamina to withstand a situation.

one's fuse is getting short

Uses a metaphorical expression to suggest increasing anger or irritability.

one's forbearance is diminishing

Highlights the reduction in one's capacity to show restraint.

one's cool is slipping

Suggests a loss of composure and emotional control.

FAQs

How can I use "patience wears thin" in a sentence?

You can use "patience wears thin" to describe a situation where someone's tolerance is diminishing. For example, "After waiting for hours, my patience wears thin."

What's a similar expression to "patience wears thin"?

Alternatives include "patience is running out", "tolerance is fading", or "one is losing patience".

Is it grammatically correct to say "patience wears thin"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It's a common idiom used to express that someone's ability to remain patient is decreasing.

What causes "patience wears thin"?

Situations causing delays, frustrations, or repeated annoyances can lead to "patience wears thin". These situations test one's ability to remain calm and composed.