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in dire straits

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in dire straits
Fig. in a very serious, bad circumstance. We are nearly broke and need money for medicine. We are in dire straits.
See also: dire, strait
in dire straits
in extreme danger or difficulty Officials in Washington say the peace process is in dire straits.
Usage notes: sometimes used in the forms dire economic straits or dire financial straits: He's been out of work for eight months, and his family is in dire financial straits.
See also: dire, strait
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Trent, who had seen men before in dire straits, fed him from a spoon and forced brandy between his lips.
A Millionaire of Yesterday by Oppenheim, E. Phillips View in context
And Jove answered, "To-morrow morning, Juno, if you choose to do so, you will see the son of Saturn destroying large numbers of the Argives, for fierce Hector shall not cease fighting till he has roused the son of Peleus when they are fighting in dire straits at their ships' sterns about the body of Patroclus.
The Iliad by Homer View in context
And if we are able thus to attack an inferior force with a superior one, our opponents will be in dire straits.
The Art of War by Sun, Tzu View in context
 
 
 
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