"running thin," "patience is running thin"

"Running thin" typically means something is becoming scarce, dwindling, or less available than it used to be. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as a dwindling supply of resources or a person's dwindling patience. For example, someone might say their patience is running thin if they are becoming increasingly impatient.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Dwindling Supply:
If something is "running thin," it suggests that the supply is decreasing and becoming less sufficient. This could refer to anything from a physical resource like water to a more abstract concept like patience.
Becoming Less Available:
The phrase implies that the resource or quality is no longer readily available in the same quantity or quality as before.
Common Usage:
"Patience" is a frequent subject when people say something is running thin, indicating a decrease in one's ability to be patient.
Examples:
"My patience is running thin after waiting in this long line."
"The government is running thin on resources to deal with the crisis."
"The joke about that cartoon character is running thin."

RUN THIN Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
idiom. : to become less than the usual, original, or needed number or amount. I'd been waiting almost an hour, and my patience was...

Merriam-Webster



The phrase "patience is running thin" means someone is becoming increasingly impatient or frustrated, and they are nearing the point of losing their temper. It suggests they have been tolerating a situation for some time but are reaching their limit.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Increasing Frustration:
The phrase indicates that the person's tolerance for a situation or person is diminishing.
Near the Limit:
It suggests they are close to losing their composure and may react negatively.
Duration of Tolerance:
The phrase implies that the person has been patient for a while, but their capacity for patience is now running out.
In essence, "patience is running thin" is a warning that someone is about to lose their ability to be calm and understanding in a situation.


WEAR THIN definition in American English - Collins Dictionary
phrase [usually cont] If your patience or temper is wearing thin, you are becoming annoyed and are likely to get angry soon. He wa...

Collins Dictionary