beam-ends

American  

[beem-endz] / ˈbimˌɛndz /

plural noun

1. Nautical. the ends of the transverse deck beams of a vessel.

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idioms

1. on her beam-ends, heeled so far on one side that the deck is practically vertical.

   The schooner was blown over on her beam-ends.

2. on one's / the beam-ends, in desperate straits, especially financial straits. Also on the beam's ends.

beam-ends British  

plural noun

1. the ends of a vessel's beams

2. (of a vessel) heeled over through an angle of 90°

3. 1. out of resources; destitute

   2. desperate

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Etymology

Origin of beam-ends

First recorded in 1765–75

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

beam-ends

In the ruinous days of September 1940, a bomb blasted two of the museum's rooms into reportedly picturesque and possibly symbolic confusion: Hitler lurched on his beam-ends, his head chipped to its core.

From Time Magazine Archive

In an instant the doomed vessel fell over on her beam-ends.

From Rounding up the Raider A Naval Story of the Great War by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman

The side of the hurricane-deck acted, when the vessel was heeled over, as one vast sail, and, no doubt, had much to do with putting her on her beam-ends.

From The Sea: Its Stirring Story of Adventure, Peril, & Heroism. Volume 1 by Frederick Whymper

“Well, everything is pretty fast, sir,” said the mate, quietly; “but if the ship goes on her beam-ends don’t blame me.”

From Wild Adventures round the Pole The Cruise of the "Snowbird" Crew in the "Arrandoon" by Gordon Stables

It was very dark, Jimmy could not see the hatch, and the Cetacea appeared to have fallen over on her beam-ends.

From The Secret of the Reef by Harold Bindloss

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