on one's beam-ends
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plural noun
Idioms 1.
Nautical. the ends of the transverse deck beams of a vessel.
2.
on her beam-ends, Nautical. heeled so far on one side that the deck is practically vertical: The schooner was blown over on her beam-ends.
3.
on one's/the beam-ends, Slang. in desperate straits, especially financial straits. Also, on the beam's ends.
Origin:
1765–75
1765–75
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To on one's beam-ends
Collins
World English Dictionary
| beam-ends | |
| —pl n | |
| 1. | the ends of a vessel's beams |
| 2. | on her beam-ends (of a vessel) heeled over through an angle of 90° |
| 3. | on one's beam-ends |
| a. out of resources; destitute | |
| b. desperate | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
On one's beam-ends
is always a great word to know.
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