the world > action or operation > difficulty > present difficulties [verb (intransitive)] > be in difficulties or straits > be in desperate difficulty (3)
one's (or the) last (or †utter) shift: the last resource. to be at (†under) one's last shift(s: to be at the last extremity, in the greatest…
the ends of a ship's beams. to be,or be laid, on the beam-ends: to have them touching the water, so that the vessel lies on its side in imminent…
spec. To be in desperate difficulties. slang.