clutch at straws; make a desperate, futile effort
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to clutch at straws; to try desperately to save oneself by grasping at any faint hope
neutralThis idiom describes a desperate, last-ditch attempt that is almost certainly futile, similar to the English idiom 'clutch at straws.' It carries a slightly negative or pitiable connotation, implying the effort is based on false hope.
Gōng公
sī司
dōu都
kuài快
pò破
chǎn产
le了
，
tā他
hái还
zài在
sì四
chù处
jiè借
qián钱
，
bù不
guò过
shì是
lāo捞
dào稻
cǎo草
bà罢
le了
。
The company is almost bankrupt, and he's still borrowing money from all over. It's just clutching at straws.
Zhèng证
jù据
què确
záo凿
，
tā他
zhǎo找
de的
nà那
xiē些
jiè借
kǒu口
zhǐ只
shì是
zài在
lāo捞
dào稻
cǎo草
。
The evidence is solid; the excuses he's making are just a desperate attempt to save himself.
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Bié别
lāo捞
dào稻
cǎo草
le了
，
jiē接
shòu受
xiàn现
shí实
ba吧
。
Stop clutching at straws; just accept the reality.