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to grasp at straws
01
to be willing to do whatever necessary to improve one's current situation, regardless of one's chance of success
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What is the origin of the idiom "grasp at straws" and when to use it?
The idiom "grasp at straws" originates from the practice of a drowning person desperately trying to save themselves by reaching for any floating straws or objects within their reach. Figuratively, it is now used to describe a situation where someone is in a state of extreme desperation, willing to consider even the most unlikely or feeble solutions to their problems.
Example
In the midst of a complex legal case, the defendant's lawyer was clutching at straws, presenting weak arguments to the jury.
When faced with a failing business, he began to clutch at straws, exploring unconventional strategies in the hope of saving it.
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