[Idiom] A drowning man catches at a straw

[conniemork]

What is the meaning of the Idiom 'A drowning man catches at a straw'

[conniemork]

Pls I need answer.

[Hortence]

Originally Posted by conniemork

Pls I need answer.

Hi,

I'm not a teacher, but, in my mind, if you were about to drown, a straw would not be a solution to keep you afloat.

[Anglika]

Originally Posted by Hortence

Hi,

I'm not a teacher, but, in my mind, if you were about to drown, a straw would not be a solution to keep you afloat.

But if you are drowning, you will catch at anything in the hope that it may keep you afloat.

[BobK]

When I've heard the idiom, the verb is 'clutches'. I think this may have been changed by the influence of 'catches hold of' and 'snatches at'.

b

[Searching for language]

Originally Posted by conniemork

What is the meaning of the Idiom 'A drowning man catches at a straw'

I have also only heard it as "clutches" at a straw.

It means that when you are in a very desperate situation, you will try anything to get out of it, even if it seems impossible to do so.

I am not a teacher.