Page 4 - Conversation 3

(2) Clutch at straws

Introduction

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

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240902

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.