Idiom – At Your Wit’s End

At Your Wit’s End – Idiom of the Day

Meaning:

Not being able to respond to anything because of extreme confusion and exhaustion

History:

The first mention of this idiom was read in Piers Plowman, a poem published by William Langland in 1377. In this literature work, the stanza read: “Astronomyens also aren at hir wittes ende.” However, it must be noted that the phrase also appeared in Psalms 107:27 of the Bible. It says, “They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end.” Unlike the poem, in the Bible, the phrase is used in the actual form. Yet, meaning in both examples remains the same.

Synonyms:

In Despair
Stumped
Baffled
Bewildered
At a Loss

Examples:

Go through the examples to understand the usage of the idiom:

1. Undergoing different treatments for this disease and not experiencing results has left me at my wits’ end.
2. Since morning I have been hearing bad news. I am at my wits’ end now.
3. The disagreement between Mr. Jones and his child regarding the latter’s education has left both of them at their wits’ end.
4. After trying all the combinations to access her husband’s phone, Anushka was at her wits’ end when she realized her birthday was the password.
5. Sam was at his wits’ end upon realizing that he lost an argument with a seven-year-old girl.
6. Looking at uncountable options available to pursue a higher degree, Aakash was at his wits’ end.
7. Soniya was at her wits’ end when her husband said a few distressing words during a fight.