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
Heraclio	-	Spanish
Arkadi	ahr-KAH-dee	Russian
Cinderella	[.sində'relə]
Leticia	le-TEE-thyah (Spanish), le-TEE-syah (Latin American Spanish)	Spanish
Eidel	-	Yiddish
Geraint	GE-rient (Welsh), ji-RAYNT (English)	Welsh, Welsh Mythology, Arthurian Romance