tether
Related to tether: theta
at the end of (one's) tether
Completely worn out, exasperated, or exhausted; having no more patience, endurance, or energy left. Joshua has been throwing a tantrum all afternoon, and with all the other things I have to get done, I'm simply at the end of my tether! Daniel's been at the end of his tether for weeks now—he has seriously got to get a different job!
See also: end, of, tether
be at the end of (one's) tether
To be completely worn out, exasperated, or exhausted; to have no more patience, endurance, or energy left. The baby's been crying all morning, and I haven't slept properly in days! I'm just at the end of my tether! The bosses are at the end of their tethers with the way this project is moving, so they've decided to bring in some outside help.
See also: end, of, tether
the end of (one's) tether
A point of utter exhaustion or exasperation; a point or state at which one has no more patience, endurance, or energy left. Joshua started throwing a tantrum this afternoon, and with all the other things I have to get done, I've just reached the end of my tether! Daniel's been at the end of his tether for weeks now—he has seriously got to get a different job!
See also: end, of, tether
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
at the end of one's rope
and at the end of one's tetherFig. at the limits of one's endurance. I'm at the end of my rope! I just can't go on this way! These kids are driving me out of my mind. I'm at the end of my tether.
See also: end, of, rope
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
end of one's rope, at the
Also, at the end of one's tether. At the limits of one's resources, abilities, endurance, or patience. For example, If that loan doesn't come through, we'll be at the end of our rope, or The workmen are driving me crazy; I'm at the end of my tether. This expression alludes to a tied-up animal that can graze only as far as the rope (or tether) permits. [Late 1600s]
See also: end, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
at the end of your tether
COMMON If you are at the end of your tether, you are very upset because you are no longer able to deal with a difficult situation. I had tried every solution I could think of: I was at the end of my tether.
See also: end, of, tether
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
at the end of your tether
having no patience, resources, or energy left to cope with something.A North American variant of this expression is at the end of your rope , and in both cases the image is that of a grazing animal tethered on a rope that allows it a certain range in which to move but which at full stretch prohibits further movement.
See also: end, of, tether
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
be at the ˌend of your ˈtether
(British English) (American English be at the ˌend of your ˈrope) having no more patience or strength left: After two hours of hearing the children shout and argue, I really was at the end of my tether.See also: end, of, tether
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
at the end of (one's) rope
/tether Out of energy or patience; exhausted or exasperated.
See also: end, of, rope
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
end of one's rope/tether, at the/come to the
To have exhausted one’s resources or abilities. The term alludes to a tethered (roped) animal that can graze only as far as the length of the rope permits. “Being run to the end of his Rope, as one that had no more Excuses to make,” wrote Sir John Chardin in 1686 (The Coronation of Solyman the Third). “I am at the end of my tether” was close to being a cliché by the time Royall Tyler used the line in his comedy The Contrast (first U.S. production in 1787).
See also: come, end, of, rope
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- at the end of your tether
- at the end of (one's) tether
- be at the end of (one's) rope
- be at the end of (one's) tether
- be at the end of your tether
- the end of (one's) rope
- the end of (one's) tether
- at the end of rope
- end of one's rope, at the
- at the end of (one's) rope