The correct spelling of the phrase "past bearing" may cause some confusion due to the pronunciation of the word "past." In IPA phonetic transcription, "past" is pronounced as /pæst/, while "passed" is pronounced as /pæst/. Therefore, when spelling "past bearing," it is crucial to pay attention to the pronunciation and use "past" instead of "passed" to avoid any confusion. This phrase means that something has become unbearable or intolerable and is often used to describe a situation or a person's behavior.
Past bearing is an idiomatic expression that is used to describe a person, thing, or situation that has or had reached a point of exhaustion, depletion, or capacity. It refers to a state where someone or something is no longer able to tolerate or endure a particular circumstance, burden, or hardship. The term often implies that a breaking point has been reached, beyond which further demands or expectations cannot be met.
When applied to a person, someone who is past bearing has usually had enough of a trying, difficult, or overwhelming situation, and may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or unable to cope any longer. This state of being past bearing can result from prolonged stress, physical or emotional exhaustion, or the accumulation of multiple burdens. It suggests that the individual has reached their limit and can no longer carry on or tolerate any further strain.
Similarly, when used to describe a thing or situation, past bearing suggests that it has become excessively burdensome, unbearable, or unsustainable. It implies that the object or circumstance has reached its maximum capacity or limit and can no longer continue in its current form.
Overall, past bearing captures the idea of a breaking point or a limit, beyond which someone or something is no longer capable of enduring or handling a particular situation, burden, or expectation.
The phrase "past bearing" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two words: "past" and "bearing". However, we can examine the origins of each word individually to understand their meanings and usage within the phrase.
1. Past: The word "past" originates from the Old English word "pæst", which means "beyond, after, or following". It has connections to the Old High German word "phist", meaning "at, by, to, or with". Over time, the meaning of "past" evolved to refer to time that has already happened or something that is no longer present or applicable.
2. Bearing: The word "bearing" is derived from the Old English word "beran", which means "to bear or carry".