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grasping at straws
(redirected from Clutching at Straws)

    Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
grasping at straws
Fig. to depend on something that is useless; to make a futile attempt at something. John couldn't answer the teacher's question. He was just grasping at straws. There I was, grasping at straws, with no one to help me.
See also: straw
grasping at straws also clutching at straws
1. trying to find some way to succeed when nothing you choose is likely to work Jerry, grasping at straws, searched the backup tapes from last week, looking for the missing files.
2. trying to find reasons to feel hopeful about a bad situation She thinks he might still be interested because he calls her now and then but I think she's clutching at straws.
See also: straw
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But with the race looking weaker than last time and the ground set to be on top again, that's clutching at straws somewhat, and it will require a useful performance to lower his colours if he's in the same mood.
BANKERS OR BLOWOUTS? Baily Storm [...] by The Racing Post (London, England)
He is still alive,' say the multitudes of idealists and the faithful, all clutching at straws in their refusal to believe the inevitable.
Is Jacko still alive? YourSay by Birmingham Mail (England)
We're clutching at straws and looking for money to keep going.
Mast decision leaves club on the brink by Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England)
 
 
 
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