# test someone's patience

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/test-someones-patience
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To begin to frustrate someone.

## Examples

- Your constant noise is really testing my patience.
- The long delay at the airport was starting to test the patience of every passenger waiting at the gate.
- His persistent refusal to follow simple instructions began to test the patience of even the most dedicated mentor on the team.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.