In dire straits or need In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "in dire straits or need", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Mia Le calendar 2021-02-15 10:02

Meaning of In dire straits or need

In dire straits or need British American phrase

“Dire Straits” is originated  from geography. A strait is a narrow body of water situated between two land masses which then connects two larger bodies of water. Therefore, some straits are too difficult to sail through because of the narrowness.

In a very bad situation that is difficult to fix


 

After her husband's death, she was in dire need.

If we lose the best player, our team will find itself in dire straits.

The fierce storm left the region in dire straits for a long time.

Grammar and Usage of In dire straits or need

'In dire straits' is often used as an 'adjective phrase' in the sentence which goes after 'to be'.

Origin of In dire straits or need

According to Citrinitas,  'in dire straits' appears a lot in Bible. However, the earliest times that this phrase was used as the idiom is in Joseph Thomson’s work, “A Masai Adventure” in the chapter titled Good Words, 1800s:

“he answered with unusual humility, showing to what dire straits they had fallen.”

The Origin Cited:
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swallow the bait

If you swallow the bait, you take something that someone offers you, or agree to do something that someone asks you to do without knowing that it is a trick or way of getting something from you.

Example:

You can't just do whatever he wants you to do. Don't swallow the bait.

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