in need

English

Prepositional phrase

in need

1. Lacking basic necessities such as food and shelter; poor; indigent.

   I donated the clothes my son outgrew to help children in need.

2. In distress or otherwise difficult circumstances.

   The team came to the rescue of a whale in need.

3. (when followed by “of”) needing (the specified necessities).

   The house was in need of urgent repairs.

Usage notes

In the original meaning of the saying A friend in need is a friend indeed, the words “a friend in need” are elliptic for “a friend who comes to your aid when you are in need”.

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Translations to be checked

• Maori: takaonge, hapa
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}

Anagrams

• Dineen, Neiden, indene, needin'