fray around the edges

fray around the edges

1. Literally, to become worn along the edges, as of fabric. I think it's time for us to get a new blanket—this one is all frayed around the edges.
2. To become less successful or harmonious. Our roommate relationship is starting to fray around the edges now that Pat has begun leaving his stuff, including dirty dishes, all over the apartment.
See also: around, edge, fray
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ˌfray at/around the ˈedges/ˈseams

start to come apart or to fail: Support for the leader was fraying at the edges.
If cloth frays, the threads in it start to come apart.
See also: around, edge, fray, seam
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • fray at/around the edges/seams
  • fray at the edges
  • rough
  • rough around the edges
  • (a little/bit) rough around the edges
  • the
  • wring (something) out of (someone or something)
  • wring out of
  • (a little/bit) rough around the edge
  • wallflower
References in periodicals archive
"Newton had the best description of gravity for a long time but it started to fray around the edges. And Einstein provided a more complete theory.
Told from the perspective of Sana -- whose perception begins to fray around the edges as she frets about being way from her son -- the journey comprises a series of vignettes that range from the absurd to the surreal.
The EU's deal with Turkey is "beginning to fray around the edges" said Jonathan Portes, professor of economics and public policy at King's College London, and a senior fellow of the UK in a Changing Europe program.
If the EU starts to fray around the edges, and lose what limited unity it has in foreign policy, Russia will find several ways to take advantage of the situation.
While the Lifetime-movie crowd will no doubt be able to identify with the emotion, the movie gets a tad uneven in the later going, stumbling toward a resolution that begins to fray around the edges, despite a first-rate cast.
Meanwhile, the property market continues to "fray around the edges," as a result of the lack of cat activity, coupled with the increasing supply of reinsurance capacity.
A RELATIONSHIP is starting to fray around the edges. It is becoming harder for you to understand each other.
And so an increasingly agitated Celtic - none more so than Kayal who was booked for taking his frustrations out on Henrik Ojamaa - headed inside at the break a goal down to meet up with a manager who was himself beginning to fray around the edges.
For the time being, the fabric of Roman society was kept from unraveling; but as the very potency of the Bacchic cult showed, it was starting to fray around the edges.
They may have started to fray around the edges but seven of the 80s' best pop acts proved they can still party like it's 1985.
But when her out-of control brother drops into town, her commitment-phobic boyfriend proposes marriage, and her fussbudget boss (Matthew Broderick) takes her to bed, Sammy starts to fray around the edges.
Several other big stars are beginning to fray around the edges too.
The Welsh southpaw is beginning to fray around the edges at the weight.
Tom looks as if he's still suffering from Saving Private Ryan shellshock, while Meg is beginning to fray around the edges as well.