thread·bare 
/ˈθrɛdˌbeɚ/ adjective
/ˈθrɛdˌbeɚ/ adjective [more threadbare; most threadbare] 1 : very thin and in bad condition from too much use : shabby
▪ a threadbare carpet/suit 2 : not very effective, interesting, etc., because of being used too often
▪ a threadbare joke ▪ the story's threadbare plot
▪ a threadbare carpet/suit
▪ a threadbare joke ▪ the story's threadbare plot
