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threadbare

[ˈθrɛdbɛr]
adjective
gasto, surrado, desgastado
1. (of fabric or clothing) worn thin so that the threads show; tattered
The old carpet was threadbare after years of heavy foot traffic.
O tapete antigo estava gasto depois de anos de intenso tráfego de pessoas.
2. (figurative) overused, trite, or lacking originality; hackneyed
The politician's threadbare excuses no longer convinced anyone.
As desculpas gastas do político não convenciam mais ninguém.
3. (figurative) lacking in substance, detail, or quality; meager
The story had a threadbare plot that failed to engage readers.
A história tinha um enredo raso que não conseguia envolver os leitores.
NYC Slang
beat-up, worn out, played out
Synonyms
worntatteredraggedshabbytritehackneyedbanal
Antonyms
newpristineoriginalluxuriousthicksubstantial

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
gasto, surrado, desgastado
commonly used in everyday speech
Rio de Janeiro
surrado, desgastado
colloquial usage
São Paulo
gasto, desgastado, batido
batido also used for hackneyed meaning
Portugal
gasto, esfarrapado, surrado
esfarrapado more common for tattered clothing

Related Idioms & Phrases

threadbare excuse - desculpa gastas/batida
threadbare welcome - acolhimento morno/frio
wear something threadbare - gastar algo completamente
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