IdiomThe Absurd
English
Englishgrasp at straws
Meaning: To act in desperation with little hope of success.
Example: “Blaming the referee is grasping at straws; we simply played badly.”
Equivalents in other languages
Italian: arrampicarsi sugli specchi Literally: To climb on mirrors
Origin: A drowning person will grab even at floating straws, which cannot possibly keep them afloat. Thomas More wrote in 1534 that a man in danger of drowning would "catch at whatsoever cometh next to hand." The proverb "a drowning man will clutch at a straw" is recorded from the 18th century.
More English idioms
- grim reaper Death.
- hair's breadth A very narrow amount.
- half a mind to do something Inclined or disposed to do something; to have almost decided to do something.
- half the battle Half the work or effort.
- handle someone with kid gloves To treat someone cautiously or gently because he or she is easily hurt or angered.
- have the last laugh To outsmart or get revenge on someone who thinks he or she has been clever.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Jung gewohnt, alt getan Habits formed in youth stay with you into old age.
- Gottes Mühlen mahlen langsam, aber sicher Wrongdoing is punished in the end, even if justice takes its time.
- Alles hat ein Ende Nothing lasts forever, good or bad.
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