| Front | desperate |
|---|---|
| Back | des‧per‧ate S3 W3 /ˈdespərət, ˈdespərɪt/ adjective 1willing to do anything to change a very bad situation, and not caring about danger: I had no money left and was desperate. Time was running out and we were getting desperate. the missing teenager’s desperate parents desperate with She was desperate with fear. 2needing or wanting something very much desperate for The team is desperate for a win. I was desperate for a cigarette. desperate to do something He was desperate to get a job. 3a desperate situation is very bad or serious: a desperate shortage of doctors We’re in desperate need of help. 4a desperate action is something that you only do because you are in a very bad situation desperate attempt/bid/effort a desperate attempt to escape We resorted to desperate measures. desperate battle/struggle/fight a desperate struggle to rescue the men COLLOCATIONS nouns a desperate attempt Brian’s parents agreed to the treatment in a desperate attempt to save his life. a desperate bid (=attempt) He was standing in the middle of the road in a desperate bid to get help. a desperate effort A desperate effort was made to reach an agreement. a desperate struggle/battle/fight The climbers faced a desperate struggle to reach safety. desperate measures (=extreme things you do to stop a problem or bad situation) They had to take desperate measures to stop the spread of the disease. a desperate search The female bear has left her young in a desperate search for food. THESAURUS very bad serious very bad – used about problems, accidents, illnesses, or crimes: Violent crime is a serious problem in and around the capital. | The boy was taken to hospital with serious head injuries. | Fortunately, the damage to the car was not serious. severe very serious – used about problems, injuries, and illnesses: He suffered severe injuries in a car crash. | The problem became so severe that they had to bring water in from other countries. | severe epilepsy grave used about a situation that is very serious and worrying, especially because it is dangerous or seems likely to get worse: A thick fog descended and I knew that we were in grave danger. | The situation is grave – war now seems inevitable. acute used about an illness, problem, or situation that has become very serious or dangerous, and needs to be dealt with quickly: She was taken to the hospital suffering from acute appendicitis. | In San Diego, the shortage of skilled workers is acute. desperate used about a situation or problem that is very serious or dangerous, especially because a lot of people need urgent help: The situation is desperate – people here need aid before the harsh winter sets in. | The hospital is full of people in desperate need of medical attention. critical used about a situation that is very serious and dangerous and might get worse suddenly: In 1991, the food supply situation became critical. | Eight people were killed and four are still in a critical condition. life-threatening used about a situation, illness, or condition in which someone could die: Her child had a potentially life-threatening illness. | The situation was not life-threatening, but it was very worrying. be a matter of life and death spoken to be extremely serious – used when a situation is very urgent or important: For people living with HIV, getting the right treatment is literally a matter of life and death. |
Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.
Previous card: Tally verb ˈtæli word origin example bank sth
Up to card list: A Song of Ice and Fire