Question

in_the_loop_314 to act in desperation with little hope of success The expression suggests that whereas grasping a rope might succeed in saving one’s life, grasping at straws (grass) is a desperate and probably useless attempt to hold on.

Accepted Answer

GRASP AT STRAWS Henry tried everything he could think of to change Martha’s mind, even tried things that he knew wouldn’t work. He knew he was grasping at straws.The thief told the judge one excuse after another. It was obvious that he was desperate and grasping at straws.

Id	in_the_loop_314
Idiom	GRASP AT STRAWS
Definition	to act in desperation with little hope of success
Examples	Henry tried everything he could think of to change Martha’s mind, even tried things that he knew wouldn’t work. He knew he was grasping at straws. The thief told the judge one excuse after another. It was obvious that he was desperate and grasping at straws.
Extra Info	The expression suggests that whereas grasping a rope might succeed in saving one’s life, grasping at straws (grass) is a desperate and probably useless attempt to hold on.

Straws Grasping Knew Desperate Loop Grasp Act Desperation