grasp at straws

1. Also, clutch at straws. Make a desperate attempt at saving oneself. For example, He had lost the argument, but he kept grasping at straws, naming numerous previous cases that had little to do with this one. This metaphoric expression alludes to a drowning person trying to save himself by grabbing at flimsy reeds. First recorded in 1534, the term was used figuratively by the late 1600s.

Example Sentences

And they grasp at straws to “prove” themselves right.

From Washington Post

“If you’re a governor right now, or invested in Democratic governors’ successes, you don’t have much else to talk about,” he said, “so you grasp at straws.”

From New York Times

“I’m afraid we’re all trying to grasp at straws. We’re trying to find the golden solution: So we just get enough vaccine and we push enough vaccine to people and that’s going to take care of it,’” he said.

From The Guardian

“I’m afraid we’re all trying to grasp at straws. We’re trying to find the golden solution: ‘So we just get enough vaccine and we push enough vaccine to people and that’s going to take care of it,’” he said.

From Washington Times

Opponents of drug legalization argue that the need to find new revenues during the pandemic may be leading people to grasp at straws — and leaving them prone to being manipulated and misled.

From New York Times