Explaining "Any port in a storm"

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 29/09/2024, 22:25

English.me team member

What does it mean?

The phrase "Any port in a storm" means that during difficult or desperate situations, a person must accept any solution or refuge, even if it is not ideal.

Tone

Pragmatic and accepting

Origin

The phrase is nautical in origin, referring to a ship seeking refuge in any available harbor during a storm, regardless of how suitable it is.

Examples of usage

When the hotel she usually stayed at was fully booked, she decided to stay at a roadside motel instead, reasoning that it was any port in a storm.
He didn't particularly like the idea of working for the smaller company, but given the circumstances, it was any port in a storm.