“A drowning man will clutch at a straw”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
The phrase means that a person in desperate circumstances will try to find relief or a solution, no matter how unlikely or insignificant it may seem.
Tone Cautionary and empathetic
Where it comes from
The phrase traces back to at least the 16th century, with its earliest recorded use found in the writings of Sir Thomas More. It metaphorically describes the hopeless action of a drowning person grabbing at a straw, something that is barely capable of saving them.
Examples
- Even though the medicine hadn’t been tested thoroughly, he decided to try it because a drowning man will clutch at a straw.
- She knew the deal was risky, but being on the verge of bankruptcy, she took it—a drowning man will clutch at a straw.
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