on (one's) beam-ends

In a precarious and/or desperate situation. The phrase was originally used to describe the tilted position of a ship before it capsizes. My sister's on her beam-ends now that she's lost her job—I might have to lend her some money so she doesn't lose her house. Tell me the truth, doc—am I on my beam-ends, or do I still have treatment options available?

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Damaris	DAM-ə-ris (English)	Biblical, Biblical Greek
Gittel	-	Yiddish
Verena	[və'ri:nə]
Ariaden	[æri'ædni]
Kamryn	KAM-rin	English (Modern)
Andris	-	Latvian, Hungarian