desperate times call for desperate measures
proverb Extreme and undesirable circumstances or situations can only be resolved by resorting to equally extreme actions. Derived from the proverb, "Desperate diseases must have desperate remedies." I know that the austerity measures introduced by the government during the recession are unpopular, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I'll do anything to protect my daughter from the mob. Desperate times call for desperate measures, right? I did every menial, unsavory job you can think of to keep a roof over my kids' heads when they were growing up. It's unfortunate, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.