Grasping at Straws

Welcome to English in a Minute!

Straw is the dry stems of grain plants.

Grasping is holding something firmly.

Grasping at straws

I can’t find the scripts for our next project.

Did you check your computer?

Yes.

Did you look around the desk?

Yes. They aren’t there.

Maybe they’re in the trash can.

Did you look in the trash can?

Now, you are really grasping at straws.

To grasp at straws means to be so desperate that you try anything to help yourself in a difficult situation.

Some word experts say it comes from a saying, “A drowning man will catch at a straw.” Straw floats but it is not strong enough to hold someone above water.

And that’s English in a Minute!