Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
grasp-or-clutch-or-catch-at-a-straw-or-straws
idiom
/ɡræsp ɔr klʌtʃ ɔr kæʧ æt ə strɔː ɔr strɔːz/
Definition
To try to hold onto something when in a desperate situation, often used metaphorically to indicate a futile effort to find a solution.
Examples
- When he lost his job, he started to grasp at straws, applying for positions he was overqualified for.
- During the crisis, the team was grasping at straws to find a solution.
- She felt like she was catching at straws when trying to make sense of the complex report.
Meaning
This phrase suggests the act of making a desperate attempt to save oneself from a difficult situation, often with little hope of success.
Synonyms
- desperate attempt
- last resort
- trying anything
- throwing a lifeline
