Psalm 107:27
“They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.”Read in Context
Modern Meaning
What Does “At wit's end” Mean?
So troubled that one has no idea what to do.
Biblical Origin
Where Does This Phrase Come From?
Psalm 107 describes sailors caught in a violent storm, tossed until they have exhausted every idea for saving themselves. The KJV translators rendered the Hebrew with an English phrase that perfectly captures the feeling of having run out of options.
The phrase appears in Psalm 107:27 in the King James Version of the Bible, first published in 1611.
Usage Today
How Is It Used Today?
Describes being in a state of desperation or total confusion. "After the third system crash this week, the IT team was at their wit's end."
The KJV Verse
Psalm 107:27
“They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.”
Related Phrases