threadbare /ˈθrɛdˌbɛə/ TEM8

• 1. 

  ADJ Threadbare clothes, carpets, and other pieces of cloth look old, dull, and very thin, because they have been worn or used too much. (衣物、地毯等)破旧的; 磨薄的

  例：

  She sat cross-legged on a square of threadbare carpet.

  她盘腿坐在那块破旧地毯的一方上。

• 2. 

  ADJ If you describe an activity, an idea, or an argument as threadbare, you mean that it is very weak, or inadequate, or old and no longer interesting. (活动、想法、论点等)软弱无力的; 陈旧乏味的

  例：

  ...the government's threadbare domestic policies.

  ...政府陈腐的国内政策。