grasp at straws

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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).

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

• Chinese Mandarin: 捕風捉影 /捕风捉影 (bǔfēngzhuōyǐng) — guess randomly or pursue any apparent option, due to a lack of clear choices or information
• Czech: chytat se stébla — guess randomly or pursue any apparent option, due to a lack of clear choices or information
• Czech: chytat se jako tonoucí stébla — guess randomly or pursue any apparent option, due to a lack of clear choices or information
• Finnish: tarttua oljenkorsiin — guess randomly or pursue any apparent option, due to a lack of clear choices or information
• German: nach jedem Strohhalm greifen — guess randomly or pursue any apparent option, due to a lack of clear choices or information
• Italian: arrampicarsi sugli specchi — guess randomly or pursue any apparent option, due to a lack of clear choices or information
• Polish: chwytać się brzytwy — guess randomly or pursue any apparent option, due to a lack of clear choices or information
• Russian: хвата́ться за соло́минку (xvatátʹsja za solóminku) — guess randomly or pursue any apparent option, due to a lack of clear choices or information
• Spanish: agarrarse a un clavo ardiendo — guess randomly or pursue any apparent option, due to a lack of clear choices or information
• Swedish: gripa efter halmstrån — guess randomly or pursue any apparent option, due to a lack of clear choices or information