end of one's rope, at the

Idioms and Phrases

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]