not know which way to turn

Meaning: To be so overwhelmed or confused that one does not know what to do.

Example: “With three kids sick and the car broken down, she didn't know which way to turn.”

Origin: The image is of someone lost at a crossroads. A form with "where to turn" is recorded as early as about 1400.

Other ways to say this

Slovak: Byť v koncoch Literally: To be at the ends
Italian: Non sapere che pesci pigliare Literally: To not know which fish to catch
French: Ne plus savoir où donner de la tête Literally: To no longer know where to put one's head
English: at one's wits' end

one's eyes pop out of one's head To be astonished, often at something striking or desirable.
turn one's stomach To make someone feel sick, physically or with disgust.
have eyes in the back of one's head To notice everything, even what happens behind one's back.
have a lot on one's plate To have many tasks or problems to deal with.
not believe one's ears To be so surprised by what one hears that it seems impossible.
cross the Rubicon To take an irreversible step.

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