clutch at straws

Meaning

1. clutch / grasp at straws

   to try all possible means to find a solution or some hope in a difficult or unpleasant situation, even though this seems very unlikely

In the movies · 2

• They come up with us. They're clutching at straws.The Usual Suspects1995
• Clutching her straw bag, the one I gave her for her birthday.National Theatre Live: Prima Facie2022

Learn it in full scenes

• National Theatre Live: Prima Facie2022
  • Ensler Lets the Witness Talk
  • Ensler Corners the Witness
  • Tessa Comes Home After the Win

From the same entry

• the last straw
• a straw in the wind
• make bricks without straw
• draw the short straw
• draw straws