П-503

НА ПРЕДЕЛЕ PrepP Invar subj-compl with бытье)

1. ( subj: нервы, терпение, силы etc) s.o. 's nerves are stressed, patience is tried, strength is depleted to the utmost degree (such that s.o. feels that he is about to break down, lose control etc): (be) about to give out

(be) at the breaking point (be) strained to the limit (be) stretched to their (its) limit.

От всех этих неприятностей у него началась бессонница, нервы его были на пределе. All these troubles had given him insomnia, and his nerves were at the breaking point.

2. (subj: human one is extremely irritated, upset etc and is about to break down: Хна пределе - X is at the breaking point

X can't take any more X has reached (is at) the end of his rope (tether) X has (about (just about)) had it.

«Человек он странный, больной... Часто днём ему надо прилечь, а где он тут может? Он говорит: если б хоть свой угол, хоть маленькая верандочка...» - «Ну и?.. Что дальше?» - «Он говорит: больше сил нет. На птичьих правах... Понимаешь, он на пределе...» (Трифонов 6). "He's а strange, sick man.

Не often needs to have a rest during the day, and where can he here? He says if only he had his own corner or a little veranda...." "So? What else?" "He says he can't bear it anymore. This living on sufferance....Do you understand? He's at the end of his tether" (6a).