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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

At the end of your tether

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

Having no patience or energy left to deal with a difficult situation.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. After repeated delays and unanswered calls, I was at the end of my tether.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

Having no patience or energy left to deal with a difficult situation.
Show the answer

At the end of your tether — Having no patience or energy left to deal with a difficult situation.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “At the end of your tether” about your own life.

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Does your sentence match this meaning?

Having no patience or energy left to deal with a difficult situation.

Compare: After repeated delays and unanswered calls, I was at the end of my tether.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use it to describe feeling exhausted and unable to tolerate more. It is mainly UK English and suits personal conversation.

More examples in context

  • She felt at the end of her tether after trying to fix the same problem all day.
  • We were at the end of our tether when someone finally offered help.

Usage note

The usual US variation is “at the end of your rope.” Match your to the person: my tether, her tether or our tether.

A short conversation

A: You sound exhausted. Has the repair been arranged?
B: No, and I am at the end of my tether after calling all morning.
A: I can take over the next call while you rest.

One more practice question

How does someone at the end of their tether feel?

A. Worn out, with little patience or strength left.
B. Rested, patient and ready for unlimited extra work.

Check your answer

A. The person has reached the limit of their ability to cope.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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