Learning English

Inspiring language learning since 1943

(Image: Getty)

Introduction

Here's an expression you can use when you're in a desperate situation.

Transcript

Feifei
Hello. Welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them, too! I'm Feifei, and I'm joined by Georgie.

Georgie
Hi Feifei! How are you doing?

Feifei
I'm very well, thank you. What about you?

Georgie
Yes, I'm good, thank you. Now, in this programme we're looking at the idiom 'clutch at straws'. Ever heard of this one, Feifei?

Feifei
Yes, I have. It's actually quite common. So, the verb 'clutch' means to hold something tightly with your hands. And 'straws' – Georgie, are we talking about the long, hollow tubes we use to drink things?

Georgie
No, this idiom comes from an old proverb where 'straws' is actually a thin plant that grows near a river. If you're clutching at straws, you're trying to save yourself from drowning in the river.

Feifei
I didn’t know that! But that helps us to understand its metaphorical meaning. We use 'clutch at straws' when someone is trying to improve a difficult situation, using methods that are a bit desperate and don't seem likely to work. Let's hear some examples.

Examples
I was doing a marathon, and I needed some people to sponsor me, but no one was giving me money, so, I was really clutching at straws, and I had to go to my neighbour instead.

So, in my French class, we had to give a presentation on something interesting and everyone had really good ideas and I couldn't think of anything. So, I was really clutching at straws.

It was one day before Christmas Eve, and I had nothing in my fridge! In the end I had to serve everyone with beans on toast… I was really clutching at straws there.

Feifei
So, we've had examples of people trying to fix a situation by doing something desperate or extreme, but we also often use it when people say things that are a bit desperate, usually during an argument. If their reasons for something are weak and a bit desperate, we can say they are clutching at straws.

Georgie
Yes, and Feifei… I know I've only been at work for an hour, and I haven't done much… but I already need a break. Do you think I deserve one?

Feifei
I think you're clutching at straws a bit there, Georgie… Here is another example. My son ate all his vegetables at dinner last night, and afterwards, he asked me whether he could delay his bedtime till midnight!

Georgie
It does sound like he was clutching at straws, but it was worth a try!

Feifei
OK, let's recap. We've learned 'clutch at straws', which means try to improve a difficult situation by any means necessary, even if they're unlikely to work.

Georgie
Remember to check out our website: bbclearningenglish.com for more resources to help you improve your English. Thanks for joining us. Bye!

Feifei
Bye!

Latest The English We Speak

Turn over a new leaf
Episode 241230 / 30 Dec 2024
Turn over a new leaf with this episode!
You can't go wrong with
Episode 241223 / 23 Dec 2024
You can't go wrong with this episode!
The flip side
Episode 241216 / 16 Dec 2024
What does 'the flip side' mean?
In my travel era
Episode 241209 / 09 Dec 2024
What does it mean if you're 'in your travel era'?
Give it some welly!
Episode 241202 / 02 Dec 2024
Learn a fun, encouraging British English expression.
Shoehorn something in
Episode 241125 / 25 Nov 2024
My friend shoehorns that topic into every conversation...
On the fly
Episode 241118 / 18 Nov 2024
Can you learn new phrases on the fly?
That's on you
Episode 241111 / 11 Nov 2024
Not learnt this phrase yet? That's on you!
Warts and all
Episode 241104 / 04 Nov 2024
I love my dog, warts and all!
Off the scale
Episode 241028 / 28 Oct 2024
This lesson is off the scale!
Throw one's toys out the pram
Episode 241021 / 21 Oct 2024
Come on! Don't throw your toys out the pram...
Makes my skin crawl
Episode 241014 / 14 Oct 2024
What makes your skin crawl?
An uphill task
Episode 241007 / 07 Oct 2024
What do you find an uphill task?
Bide someone's time
Episode 240930 / 30 Sep 2024
When is it good to bide your time?
From the get-go
Episode 240923 / 23 Sep 2024
I loved English from the get-go!
Stomping ground
Episode 240916 / 16 Sep 2024
Really? That's my old stomping ground!
Tug at the heartstrings
Episode 240909 / 09 Sep 2024
When was the last time something tugged at your heartstrings?
Clutch at straws
Episode 240902 / 02 Sep 2024
When were you last in a desperate situation?
Crank up
Episode 240826 / 26 Aug 2024
Crank up your vocabulary knowledge with this programme
Find your groove
Episode 240819 / 19 Aug 2024
Have you found your groove?
Top-notch
Episode 240812 / 12 Aug 2024
Have you eaten anything top-notch recently?
Off the cuff
Episode 240805 / 05 Aug 2024
What have you done or said off the cuff?
Take the wheel
Episode 240729 / 29 Jul 2024
What’s the metaphorical meaning of ‘take the wheel’?
The works
Episode 240722 / 22 Jul 2024
Have you ever ordered a pizza with ‘the works’?
Dip your toe into
Episode 240715 / 15 Jul 2024
How does it feel to dip your toe into something new?
Ham-fisted
Episode 240708 / 08 Jul 2024
Are you ever ham-fisted?
Second nature
Episode 240701 / 01 Jul 2024
What's second nature to you?
Take the plunge
Episode 240624 / 24 Jun 2024
Take the plunge and learn this new expression
Peaks and troughs
Episode 240617 / 17 Jun 2024
This phrase will help you talk about the ups and downs of life.
Heavy lifting
Episode 240610 / 10 Jun 2024
Do you have to do all the heavy lifting?
stir the pot
Episode 240603 / 03 Jun 2024
How do you feel when people are stirring the pot?
wishy-washy
Episode 240527 / 27 May 2024
Here's an expression to use when things are just too vague
Shook
Episode 240520 / 20 May 2024
A word to express surprise or shock. Learn more here.
Let loose
Episode 240513 / 13 May 2024
An expression that means relax and celebrate. Learn more here
Zing
Episode 240506 / 06 May 2024
How can you give your English learning a bit of zing?
Do the trick
Episode 240429 / 29 Apr 2024
Learn the expression 'do the trick'
Beige flag
Episode 240422 / 22 Apr 2024
I find it weird. It's a beige flag.
Lay it on thick
Episode 240416 / 16 Apr 2024
The best book in the world? That's laying it on a bit thick.
Telling porkies
Episode 240409 / 09 Apr 2024
Learn the expression 'telling porkies'
In on it
Episode 240402 / 02 Apr 2024
Can we let you in on this phrase?
Walk someone through
Episode 240325 / 25 Mar 2024
Let us walk you through how to use this phrase.
Brick by brick
Episode 240318 / 18 Mar 2024
There are some things that you have to build up gradually. This phrase will help you talk about them.
Cook up an idea
Episode 240311 / 11 Mar 2024
A phrase that means to come up with an idea carefully.
Read the room
Episode 240304 / 04 Mar 2024
A phrase that means to work out how people feel.
Rinse repeat
Episode 240226 / 26 Feb 2024
It's the same every day! Rinse, repeat
A million to one
Episode 240219 / 19 Feb 2024
Don't take this literally
Cash in on something
Episode 240212 / 12 Feb 2024
Do you have anything you can cash in on?
Makes your hair stand on end
Episode 240205 / 05 Feb 2024
What makes your hair stand on end?
On the go
Episode 240129 / 29 Jan 2024
A phrase to describe how busy you are
A blow
Episode 240122 / 22 Jan 2024
It'll be a blow if you don’t watch this lesson
Rear its head
Episode 240115 / 15 Jan 2024
What things can rear their ugly heads?
Elbow grease
Episode 240108 / 08 Jan 2024
What do we use elbow grease for?
Bring to the party
Episode 240102 / 02 Jan 2024
A phrase about offering something positive