No dar más de sí

to be at one's limit; **to be at one's limit**; **to be maxed out**; **to have nothing left to give**; **to be worn out**; **to be unable to do any more**

No dar más de sí means to have reached the maximum possible capacity.

The expression may refer to people, machines, vehicles, budgets, batteries, schedules or almost anything capable of becoming exhausted.

It suggests that no further performance should reasonably be expected.

• someone is physically exhausted
• a machine has reached its limits
• a budget cannot be stretched further
• a battery is almost empty
• an old object can no longer perform adequately

The expression developed naturally from dar de sí.

If something can dar de sí, it can eventually reach the point where it no da más de sí.

Over time, this negative form became an independent idiom with a much more specific meaning: absolute exhaustion or maximum capacity.

Spanish speakers use this expression constantly because it applies equally well to people and objects.

A teacher at the end of the school year, an ageing laptop, a busy motorway or an overworked employee can all no dar más de sí.

Its extraordinary versatility explains its popularity.

One reason this idiom is so useful is that it treats people and objects in exactly the same way.

A phone battery, a football player, a budget and a washing machine can all no dar más de sí.

Few expressions in Spanish are both so natural and so universally applicable.

Do not translate the expression literally.

English speakers would never say:

My computer doesn't give more of itself.

Instead, choose expressions such as:

• It's reached its limit.
• It can't do any more.
• I've got nothing left.
• It's maxed out.