на пределе

• НА ПРЕДЕЛЕ{{}}

[PrepP; Invar; subj-compl with быть]

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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:

- X на 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 a strange, sick man. He 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).