A drowning man will clutch at a straw In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "a drowning man will clutch at a straw", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Caroline Tran calendar 2020-07-27 05:07

Meaning of A drowning man will clutch at a straw

Synonyms:

take any opportunity , accept any help , go to any port in a storm

A drowning man will clutch at a straw American proverb saying informal

In the United States, people sometimes use grasp at a straw instead of clutch at a straw. 

When the situation is bad, people will do anything to improve, no matter how much it seems to be impossible and unhelpful.

It has been a week since the day they broke up and although there is no hope left, she is still waiting for him to come back because a drowning man will clutch at a straw.

People are still holding on to the thought that he won't be fired, but with everything he did, I think it's like a drowning man trying to clutch at the straw.

Even when there was no positive sign showing that he could pass the test, he tried his best because a drowning man will clutch at a straw.

Other phrases about:

these things are sent to try us

This idiom is often used to express that you should accept an unpleasant situation or event because you cannot change it.

The author of your own misfortune
to be blamed because of one's own problem
you can't unring a bell

Once something has been done, you can do nothing but face the consequences.

to ask for trouble
to behave in a way that is likely to incur problems or difficulties
button your lip
To stop talking about anything

Grammar and Usage of A drowning man will clutch at a straw

There is a verb clutch in the idiom, therefore we can conjugate tense for the verb.

Origin of A drowning man will clutch at a straw

(Image Source: Internet)

 

This phrase derives from 1382 when John Wycliffe translated the Bible in the English language. The phrase has been changed from clutch to catch to grasp ever since. The word straw in this phrase is used to show the very small possibility of finding success at using it because of its flimsy nature. But even a flimsy option is still worth trying or sometimes can just be taken as a desperate measure.

 

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TODAY
the straw that broke the donkey's back

Used to allude that the last force, problem or burden which is seemingly minor and small causes a person, system or organisation to collapse or fail

Example:

Her husband's violent act last night was the straw that broke the donkey's back and she left him

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