Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

grasp at straws

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.17 in modern English

Syllables
grasp at s-traws
IPA
19
Scrabble Score
13
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To guess randomly or pursue any apparent option, due to a lack of clear choices or information.

verb

To obtain any form of help, even if it is insignificant.

Example Sentences

Etymology

In reference to a drowning person grabbing any floating object, even a straw, to save themselves. First used by Thomas More in A Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation (1534).

Inflected Forms

grasps at straws (present, singular) grasping at straws (participle, present) grasped at straws (participle, past) grasped at straws (past) grab at straws (alternative) grab at a straw (alternative) grasp at a straw (alternative)

Phrases

a drowning man will clutch at a straw straw-clutchingly

Synonyms

clutch at straws clutch at a straw

Questions

What does grasp at straws mean?
To guess randomly or pursue any apparent option, due to a lack of clear choices or information.
Where does grasp at straws come from?
In reference to a drowning person grabbing any floating object, even a straw, to save themselves. First used by Thomas More in A Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation (1534).

How to pronounce grasp at straws

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “grasp at straws”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “grasp at straws”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “grasp at straws” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.