fadenscheinig

threadbare, thin with wear

adjective FAH-den-shy-nikh Rare

Also means

flimsy, lame (of excuses)

Usage Note

fadenscheinig literally means worn so thin that the individual threads (Faden) are visible; figuratively it labels an excuse or argument as transparently thin. Both senses are in common use.

Examples

"Seine Begründung klang fadenscheinig, und niemand glaubte ihm."

Natural Translation

His explanation sounded flimsy, and no one believed him.

Literal Translation

His explanation sounded threadbare and nobody believed him.

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