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être au bout du rouleau

The French expression “être au bout du rouleau” translates literally to “to be at the end of the roll”.

English meaning:

  • to come to the end of the road
  • to reach the end of your tether
  • to come to the end of your rope

French meaning:

  • sans argent ni énergiewithout money or energy
  • très épuisé very exhausted

Example sentence:

  • Après vingt-cinq ans dans la même carrière, Daniel ne supportait plus ni son patron ni ses collègues. Il était au bout du rouleau. Il fallait absolument qu’il change de travail. After 25 years in the same career, Daniel could no longer stand his boss or colleague. He was a the end of his tether. He absolutely need to change jobs.

Related expressions:

  • être au trente-sixième dessous – to be down in the dumps

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David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

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