beam-ends

plural noun

1. Nautical. the ends of the transverse deck beams of a vessel.

Idioms

2. on her beam-ends, Nautical. heeled so far on one side that the deck is practically vertical: The schooner was blown over on her beam-ends.
3. on one’s/the beam-ends, Slang. in desperate straits, especially financial straits.Also on the beam’s ends.

pl n

1. the ends of a vessel’s beams
2. on her beam-ends (of a vessel) heeled over through an angle of 90°
3. on one’s beam-ends
   1. out of resources; destitute
   2. desperate