доходить до предела возможностей, быть в затруднительном положении
After losing his job and house, he was really at his beam ends.
После потери работы и дома он действительно дошел до предела своих возможностей.
Определения
The phrase '(someone's) beam ends' refers to being in a difficult, desperate, or nearly hopeless situation. It originates from nautical terminology, where a ship 'on her beam ends' is tipped over so far that her beams (the horizontal supports) are nearly vertical, indicating extreme danger or distress.
