beam-ends

American  

[beem-endz] / ˈbimˌɛndz /

plural noun

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

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of beam-ends

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

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

Here, after threatening to go over upon her beam-ends, she righted once more, and drove on toward the next bar.

From The Wreckers of Sable Island by Oxley, J. Macdonald (James Macdonald)

As far as he could see, he was on his beam-ends once more.

From The Squire's Daughter by Hocking, Silas K(itto)

Thrown at first almost on her beam-ends, she soon righted, and now she was tossed about like a cork.

From Annie o' the Banks o' Dee by Stables, Gordon

But the Dart was already lying on her beam-ends, heaving, groaning and quivering throughout every timber, in the fierce embrace of the tremendous blast!

From The Portland Sketch Book by Various