beam-ends: Meaning and Definition of

beam-ends

Pronunciation: (bēm'endz"), [key]
— n.pl.
  1. the ends of the transverse deck beams of a vessel.
  2. heeled so far on one side that the deck is practically vertical: The schooner was blown over on her beam-ends.
  3. in desperate straits, esp. financial straits.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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