English Explanatory Dictionary

grasp at straws

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To guess randomly or pursue any apparent option, due to a lack of clear choices or information.
  2. To obtain any form of help, even if it is insignificant.

Pronunciation

en-au-grasp at straws.ogg

Word forms

grasp at straws grasps at straws grasping at straws grasped at straws grab at straws grab at a straw grasp at a straw

Etymology

In reference to a drowning person grabbing any floating object, even a straw, to save themselves. First used by Thomas More in A Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation (1534).

Synonyms

clutch at straws clutch at a straw

Derived words

a drowning man will clutch at a straw straw-clutchingly
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
Back to search All on G Russian dictionary Dahl dictionary