be in dire straits

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be in dire straits

To be in a very bleak or grim situation. All of those recent layoffs indicate that the company is in dire straits. I was in dire straits there for a while, but I'm feeling much better after my hospital stay.

See also: dire, strait

References in periodicals archive ?

Just now he is in Dire Straits and has admitted it's all been Money for Nothing.

HAMILTON'S STRUNG OUT; FORMULA ONE

It stated that British Airways is in dire straits, sacking staff, including pilots, bosses asking staff to work for nothing, owing to a lack of bookings and loss of passengers.

We must have an election; VIEWPOINTS

This once Great Britain is in dire straits - shame on all you greedy selfindulgent horrors.

Letter: Great Britain is Greed Britain

There is no doubt the sturgeon, an ancient fish that can live up to 100 years and weigh more than a ton, is in dire straits. Years of over-fishing have depleted the population.

Innovation: bye-bye beluga?

"Two species of fish are hanging by a thread, and the fishing industry is in dire straits," says Francis Eatherington, a 20-year forestry worker.

The last frontier

Howard Archer, chief economist for Global Insight, said: "The manufacturing sector is in dire straits. And it seems certain it will see sharp contraction for some time."

Factories in crisis after output falls; Good news and bad for staff as brand returns CREDIT CRUNCH CRISIS