in the throes

Idioms  

1. In the midst of, especially of a difficult struggle. For example, The country was in the throes of economic collapse, or We were in the throes of giving a formal dinner when my in-laws arrived. The noun throe, meaning “a severe pang or spasm of pain,” was at first used mainly for such physical events as childbirth or dying. Today it is used both seriously (first example) and more lightly (second example). [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in the throes

Sloane, the eldest, is an L.A.-based actor and therapist, a feminist in the throes of menopause.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

Indonesia is in the throes of a wildfire catastrophe.

From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026

It has not yet reached its peak but Central America is already in the throes of a severe drought, prompting Honduras and El Salvador to also declare emergencies.

From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026

We’re on the Warner Bros. lot inside an office space because you are deep in the throes of production on Season 3 while navigating the awards circuit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

All those nights working the shoe-shine rag hadn’t prepared me for how it would feel to be down in the throes of it all.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz