beam-ends

[ beem-endz ]

/ ˈbimˌɛndz /

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

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.

on one's/the beam-ends, Slang. in desperate straits, especially financial straits. Also on the beam's ends.

Origin of beam-ends

First recorded in 1765–75

It broke aboard, right into the mainsail, cleared the deck, and hove the smack on her beam-ends.

Personal Reminiscences in Book Making |R.M. Ballantyne
But there were no masts now to hold the wind, so she stood up on her beam-ends.

Labrador Days |Wilfred Thomason Grenfell
The brig was thrown upon her beam-ends, and began to fill rapidly.

Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 11, No. 24, March, 1873 |Various
Over it passed, and the schooner in an instant lay on her beam-ends, the water rushing in at each hatchway.

True Blue |W.H.G. Kingston

Why, sir, just to report one flag struck, and a commander-in-chief on his beam-ends.

The Two Admirals |J. Fenimore Cooper

beam-ends

the ends of a vessel's beams

on her beam-ends (of a vessel) heeled over through an angle of 90°

on one's beam-ends