beam ends
/biːm ɛndz/
noun
- A situation where a ship is tilted so far on its side that the ends of its crossbeams are nearly touching the water; used figuratively to mean being in a desperate or helpless state.
- The company was on its beam-ends after losing its biggest client.
- With no money and no job, he found himself on his beam-ends.
- After the storm, the old schooner was on her beam-ends and barely afloat.
Antonyms