à bout

See also: about

French

Etymology

Perhaps an ellipsis of à bout de forces or à bout de nerfs.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /a bu/

• Audio:

  (file)

Adjective

à bout (invariable)

1. (informal) at the end of one's tether

   être à bout ― to be at the end of one's tether

   Ma patience est à bout. ― I've about had it (with you).

   Nous les poussons à bout. ― We are pushing them to the limit.

See also

• au bout du rouleau
• à bout de souffle