Wear Thin Meaning

(idiomatic) To lessen or weaken over time, as from overuse.

Example: 2009, Joel Sherwood, “Pressure on Latvia Builds”, The Wall Street Journal, 7 October 2009:
  Continuing his recent stern rhetoric, Swedish Finance Minister Anders Borg told reporters in Stockholm that many have worked hard to help Latvia deal with its severe economic recession but that patience is wearing thin.