grasping
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grasp at a straw
To make a desperate attempt to salvage a bad situation. A: "But what about all those times I took the trash out when you hadn't even asked me to?" B: "That has nothing to do with why you're in trouble now, so stop grasping at a straw." The government is really grasping at a straw now in its attempt to defend the controversial legislation. A: "I've started going to a psychic to help me figure out how to salvage my marriage." B: "I think you're grasping at a straw, Mike."
grasp at straws
To make a desperate attempt to salvage a bad situation. A: "But what about all those times I took the trash out when you hadn't even asked me to?" B: "That has nothing to do with why you're in trouble now, so stop grasping at straws." The government is really grasping at straws now in its attempt to defend the controversial legislation. A: "I've started going to a psychic to help me figure out how to salvage my marriage." B: "I think you're grasping at straws, Mike."
grasp in the dark
To seek out a solution, meaning, or sense of purpose in a blind, aimless, or uncertain manner. Often used in the progressive tense. We've been grasping in the dark for a way to pay our mortgage, but I just don't see how we'll be able to afford it anymore. My recent breakup with Janice has left me grasping in the dark. In those first months after my husband's death, I felt like I was grasping in the dark day after day. Therapy was the only thing that got me through.
grasp the bull by its/the horns
To approach, confront, or deal with a problem or difficult situation directly and with clear, confident action. I grasped the bull by its horns and confronted my manager about the blatant sexism in the office. I've been complaining about being out of work for too long—it's time to grasp the bull by the horns and go find a job! A: "I wish those two would just grasp the bull by its horns and talk through their differences." B: "I know, it's so awkward to be around them with all this tension."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
grasping at straws
Fig. to depend on something that is useless; to make a futile attempt at something. John couldn't answer the teacher's question. He was just grasping at straws. There I was, grasping at straws, with no one to help me.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
grasp at straws
Also, clutch at straws. Make a desperate attempt at saving oneself. For example, He had lost the argument, but he kept grasping at straws, naming numerous previous cases that had little to do with this one . This metaphoric expression alludes to a drowning person trying to save himself by grabbing at flimsy reeds. First recorded in 1534, the term was used figuratively by the late 1600s.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.