🗓️ Idiom: At the End of Your Tether (idiom)
💬 Meaning
- To be so tired, frustrated, or stressed that you cannot continue.
- To have no patience or energy left to deal with a situation.
🧠 Example Sentences
- After working twelve-hour days all week, she was at the end of her tether by Friday.
- He’s been juggling deadlines, meetings, and family issues — no wonder he’s at the end of his tether.
- When the new project was delayed again, the whole team felt at the end of their tether.
🏛️ Origin
This expression dates back to the 1500s. A tether is a rope or chain used to tie an animal to a post so it cannot wander far. If the animal reaches the end of its tether, it cannot move any further. Over time, the phrase came to describe a person who has reached their emotional or physical limit.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
After months without a proper break, many employees felt ___________.
Answer
at the end of their tether
2. Choose the correct option:
What does “at the end of your tether” mean?
a) To be full of new ideas and energy
b) To be close to giving up due to stress or exhaustion
c) To start a new project with excitement
Answer
b) To be close to giving up due to stress or exhaustion
3. Change the sentence using “at the end of your tether”:
“I can’t take any more late nights at the office — I’m exhausted and frustrated.”
Answer
I can’t take any more late nights at the office — I’m at the end of my tether.
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