French Phrase of the Day: Au bout du rouleau
Why do I need to know
au bout du rouleau?
Because
if you're already exhausted at the start of the week, this phrase might come in handy.
What does it mean?
Au bout du rouleau
- roughly pronounced oh boo do roo-low - directly translates as 'at the end of the roll'. You would conjugate it as
être
(to be)
au bout du rouleau.
It is very similar to describing yourself 'at the end of your rope' or 'at the end of my tether' in English. Basically, it means to be completely exhausted or burnt out.
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The phrase dates back to the Middle Ages. The original word -
role
- was a roll of parchment, usually a circular stick made of ivory or boxwood.
The word over time went on to describe other objects, with a small roll of parchment being a
rollet
. In theatre, an actor who won a small, rather insignificant role might have said they have a
rollet
(meaning just a few lines).
According to
Linternaute
, the word
rouleau
(originally
role de papier
) first appeared as a reference to paper coin wrappers, which continue to be used today to count and organise money. From there, the idea of 'being at the end of the roll' was born, as a reference to being out of money or having used up all of your coins.
Today, the meaning is the same, though it has extended to be symbolic too - you can feel (emotionally or physically)
au bout du rouleau.
Use it like this
Je suis déjà au bout du rouleau. Je ne peux pas m'imaginer devoir faire encore six heures de route. -
I'm already at the end of my rope. I can't imagine having to drive another six hours.
J'ai dû demander du temps pour moi. J'étais au bout du rouleau.
- I had to ask for some time to myself. I was at the end of my tether.
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