🤏 Grasping at Straws: Clinging to Faint Hope 🚀
Definition
Grasping at straws: Making a desperate attempt at finding any solution to a problem, no matter how unlikely it is to solve the problem.
Related & Similar Terms
- Clutching at straws
- Desperate times call for desperate measures
- Hail Mary pass
- Last-ditch effort
- Shot in the dark
- Long shot
Synonyms
- Desperation
- Hopeless attempt
- Last-ditch effort
- Long shot
- Shot in the dark
Antonyms
- Sure thing
- Certainty
- Sure bet
- Definitive solution
- Foolproof plan
Humor-filled Quotes
- “Who knew I’d be so experienced at clutching at straws? Maybe I should be a scarecrow!”
- “Grasping at straws is kind of my workout routine. It doesn’t work either.”
Little-Known Fact
The phrase originates from the 16th century, derived from the idea of a drowning person trying to save themselves by grabbing anything, even straws.
Connections in Literature and Art
- Books: “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller (“All you can do is grasp at straws when faced with all those Catch-22s.”)
- Songs: “The Distance” by Cake (“reluctantly crouched at the starting line, unwilling to grasp at any flimsy lifeline”)
- Movies: “Life of Pi” (Pi’s relentless attempts to find hope in his dire situation could be seen as metaphorically grasping at straws.)
Inspirational Thought-Provoking Farewell
“Sometimes it is the seemingly hopeless attempts that bring about the most miraculous results. Never be too proud to grasp at straws; you never know what might help you find solid ground.” – Polly Proverb
### Which of these describes a desperate effort?
- [x] Grasping at straws
- [ ] Running with the wolves
- [ ] Painting the town red
- [ ] Pulling the wool over someone's eyes
> **Explanation:** "Grasping at straws" is the correct choice and means making a desperate effort to cope with a problematic situation.
### What is a synonym for grasping at straws?
- [ ] Walk in the park
- [x] Long shot
- [ ] Sure thing
- [ ] Money in the bank
> **Explanation:** "Long shot" is a direct synonym, denoting an unlikely attempt at solving a problem.
### Which of these is not related to grasping at straws?
- [x] Words of wisdom
- [ ] Hail Mary pass
- [ ] Last-ditch effort
- [ ] Desperate times call for desperate measures
> **Explanation:** "Words of wisdom" is unrelated, while the other terms indicate desperate efforts similar to grasping at straws.
### True or False: 'Grasping at straws' means making a sensible, well-thought-out choice.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False! "Grasping at straws" is about desperation and last-ditch efforts, not sensible decision-making strategies.
