Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

clutch at straws

idiom

/klʌtʃ æt strɔːz/

Definition

To resort to desperate measures when all other options have failed, often in the context of trying to save a situation or find a solution.

Examples

After failing the exam, he started to clutch at straws, asking friends for last-minute answers.
In the last minutes of the game, the team began to clutch at straws to try to turn their loss into a victory.

Meaning

This idiom refers to the action of trying to grasp at anything that might help in a tough situation, even if it is unlikely to succeed. It conveys a sense of hopelessness and urgency.