English
Etymology
This idiom refers to a drowning man grabbing any floating object, even a straw, to save himself. It was first used by w:Thomas More|Thomas More in Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation (1534).
Verb
grasp (clutch, grab) at straws (a straw)
#idiom To guess randomly at or pursue any apparent option, as due to lack of options or information.
#:I never met his mother, so I'm grasping at straws for an appropriate gift for her.
References
Titelman, Gregory Y., "The Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" (Random House, New York, 1996).
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