At the End of Your Rope

Also: At the end of your (or one’s) tether (U.K.)

Meaning of Idiom ‘At the End of Your (or one’s) Rope

To be at the end of your rope means that you have reached the limit of your patience, resources, abilities, energy, etc. and so are unable to deal with a situation any longer. ^{1 2}

Compare At Your Wit’s End.

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Sentence Examples

“I have a house full of children, the in-laws are here, and to top it off, there is work being done on the house. I’m at the end of my rope!”

“I’ve tried everything I know to fix this car but it still won’t run. I’m at the end of my rope.”

-“I’m not a praying man, but if you’re up there, and you can hear me, show me the way.  I’m at the end of my rope…” — It’s a Wonderful Life (1947)

“Father, I’m at the end of my rope. It’s about my kid. He’s a real problem…” — Problem Child (1990)

“This is a personal message to you. Are you at the end of your rope? Are you dying to get away?” — Twelve Monkeys (1996)

“It’s an uphill battle. – I’m at the end of my rope.” — Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)

“Who did this?” “A madman, Your Honor! A desperate fool at the end of his pitiful rope!” — Liar Liar (1997)

This ship’s pretty beaten up — running on empty, I’d say, like you. When we last met, you were at the end of your rope. Finished.” — Doctor Who: Victory of the Daleks (2010)

“When the chips are down and you’re at the end of your rope, you need someone that you can count on.” — Angel: You’re Welcome (2004)

“Can’t talk. Meditating.” “You must be at the end of your rope. You hate meditating.” — The Legend of Korra: A Breath of Fresh Air (2014)

“Do you feel like you’re at the end of your rope? Have you thought about just giving up?” “No!” — Me Again (2012)

“Never throw in the towel, you just have to cope. And never, ever, give up, even when you’re at the end of your rope.” — Survivor: Banana Etiquette (2010)

“I tried hard to keep going, but I was at the end of my rope.” — Dearest (2014)

At the End Of One’s Rope Origin

This idiom alludes to a tether, which is a rope tied to an animal to limit its movement and keep it from wandering off. The animal can only graze as far as the rope allows, thus once it reaches “the end of its tether” it has run out of options and resources and is bound to become frustrated.

Used since the late 1600s. ^{3 4}

At Your Wits End

At Your Wit’s End

Meaning of Idiom ‘At Your (or one’s) Wit’s End’ To be at your wit’s end means that you are so confused, puzzled, or upset...

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More Idioms Starting with A

• Add Fuel to the Fire
• All Tuckered Out
• Are You Writing a Book?
• Army Brat
• And How

More At Idioms

• Jump At Something (chance, offer, opportunity)
• At the Drop of a Hat
• At Hand
• Ill at Ease
• At Your Fingertips
• At Your Wit’s End

More End Idioms

• Dead End
• The Bitter End, to (until)
• Odds and Ends
• No End In Sight (to something)
• Never Hear the End of It

More Rope Idioms

• What’s the Damage?
• Moolah
• Flat Broke
• Last of the Big Spenders

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1. Ayto, John. Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms. Oxford: Oxford U, 2010.
2. Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.
3. Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.
4. Jarvie, Gordon. Bloomsbury Dictionary of Idioms. London: Bloomsbury, 2009.