come to the end of (one's) rope

come to the end of (one's) rope

To become completely worn out, exasperated, or exhausted; to have 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 come to the end of my rope! We've been coming to the end of our ropes trying to get this issue resolved.

See also: come, end, of, rope, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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, to

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer