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

more expressions

Sign Up For A FREE Trial French Lesson On Skype And Get Instant Access To My French Pronunciation Crash Course.

Get the French Pronunciation Crash Course!