(n) (nautical) at the ends of the transverse deck beams of a vessel; means heeled over on the side so that the deck is almost vertical, Example:on her beam-ends
adj. worn by use into a deplorable condition. the beaten-up old Ford Syn. -- battered, beat-up, bedraggled, broken-down, dilapidated, ramshackle, tumble-down, unsound. [ WordNet 1.5 ]