grasp at straws

English

Alternative forms

• clutch at straws / clutch at a straw
• grab at straws / grab at a straw
• grasp at a straw

Etymology

This idiom refers to a drowning man grabbing any floating object, even a straw, to save himself. It was first used by Thomas More in A Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation (1534).

Pronunciation

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Verb

grasp at straws

1. (idiomatic) To guess randomly at or pursue any apparent option, due to a lack of clear choices or information.

   I've never met his mother, so I'm grasping at straws for an appropriate gift for her.

2. (idiomatic) To get hold at any help, even if it is insignificant.

Derived terms

• straw-clutchingly
• a drowning man will clutch at a straw

References

• Titelman, Gregory Y., "The Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" (Random House, New York, 1996).