- clutch (or grasp or catch) at straws
- clutch (or grasp or catch) at strawsresort in desperation to unlikely or inadequate means of salvation. [from the proverb a drowning man will clutch at a straw.]→ straw
English new terms dictionary. 2014.
clutch (or grasp or catch) at straws
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catch, clutch, or grasp at a straw or at straws — idi catch, clutch, or grasp at a straw or at straws, to pursue even the slightest hope or possibility out of desperation … From formal English to slang
grasp at straws — ● straw * * * clutch/grasp/at straws phrase to try to find anything at all that will help you or give you hope in a difficult situation, when it is likely that you will find nothing She knew she was clutching at straws, thinking he might help her … Useful english dictionary
grasp — graspable, adj. grasper, n. graspless, adj. /grasp, grahsp/, v.t. 1. to seize and hold by or as if by clasping with the fingers or arms. 2. to seize upon; hold firmly. 3. to get hold of mentally; comprehend; understand: I don t grasp your meaning … Universalium
straw — (n.) O.E. streaw stems or stalks of certain cereals, lit. that which is scattered or strewn, related to streowian (see STREW (Cf. strew)), from P.Gmc. *strawam that which is scattered (Cf. O.N. stra, Dan. straa, Swed. strô, O.Fris. stre, O.Du., O … Etymology dictionary
straw — noun 1》 dried stalks of grain, used as fodder or for thatching, packing, or weaving. 2》 a single dried stalk of grain. 3》 a thin hollow tube of paper or plastic for sucking drink from a glass or bottle. 4》 a pale yellow colour like that of straw … English new terms dictionary
straw — [strô] n. [ME stra < OE streaw, akin to streawian: see STREW] 1. hollow stalks or stems of grain after threshing, collectively: used for fodder, for bedding, for making hats, etc. 2. a single one of such stalks 3. such a stalk or, now esp., a… … English World dictionary
straw — strawless, adj. strawlike, adj. /straw/, n. 1. a single stalk or stem, esp. of certain species of grain, chiefly wheat, rye, oats, and barley. 2. a mass of such stalks, esp. after drying and threshing, used as fodder. 3. material, fibers, etc.,… … Universalium
hope — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) Confidence Nouns 1. hope[s], desire; trust, confidence, optimism, reliance, faith, belief; assurance, secureness, security; reassurance. See safety. 2. (omen of hope) good omen or auspices, promise; good … English dictionary for students
straw — [[t]strɔ[/t]] n. 1) agr. bot a single stalk or stem esp. of a cereal grass, as wheat, rye, oats, or barley 2) agr. a mass of such stalks, esp. after drying and threshing, used as fodder 3) material made from such stalks and used to fashion hats… … From formal English to slang
take — 1 Take, seize, grasp, clutch, snatch, grab are comparable when they mean to get hold of by or as if by reaching out the arm or hand. Take is not only the most general but also the only colorless term in this group. In ordinary use, especially… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
