Desperation is a powerful emotion that can lead people to act in ways they wouldn’t otherwise consider. It’s often born out of intense situations where hope seems distant. To express this feeling, the English language is rich with idioms and phrases that capture the essence of desperation. In this blog post, we’ll explore 20 expressions related to desperation, providing their meanings and examples of how they are used in sentences.
Expressions Related to Desperation
1. At the End of One’s Rope
Meaning: Completely out of options or patience.
Example: After weeks of searching for a job, he felt he was at the end of his rope.
2. Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures
Meaning: Extreme circumstances require extreme actions.
Example: When the company faced bankruptcy, the CEO knew that desperate times call for desperate measures.
3. Clutching at Straws
Meaning: Trying anything to improve a difficult situation.
Example: Knowing the project might fail, she was clutching at straws to find a solution.
4. In Dire Straits
Meaning: In a very difficult or dangerous situation.
Example: After the storm destroyed their home, the family was in dire straits.
5. Hanging by a Thread
Meaning: Very close to failure or disaster.
Example: The negotiations were hanging by a thread, with both sides unwilling to compromise.
6. On One’s Last Legs
Meaning: Nearing the end of usefulness or endurance.
Example: After running for hours, he was on his last legs, barely able to move.
7. Throwing in the Towel
Meaning: Giving up or quitting.
Example: After months of trying to fix the old car, he finally threw in the towel.
8. At Wit’s End
Meaning: Completely puzzled and unable to think of a solution.
Example: She was at her wit’s end trying to figure out how to pay all the bills.
9. Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Meaning: Facing two difficult choices.
Example: He was between a rock and a hard place, having to choose between his job and his health.
10. At the Mercy of
Meaning: Completely in the power of someone or something.
Example: The hikers were at the mercy of the weather, with no shelter in sight.
11. On Thin Ice
Meaning: In a precarious or risky situation.
Example: After breaking several rules, he was on thin ice with his employer.
12. Up Against It
Meaning: Facing severe difficulties.
Example: With no time left and no resources, they were really up against it.
13. Back Against the Wall
Meaning: Forced into a difficult situation with limited options.
Example: With creditors calling daily, he felt his back was against the wall.
14. Out of Options
Meaning: Having no more choices available.
Example: After trying everything, she realized she was out of options.
15. In Over One’s Head
Meaning: In a situation that is too difficult to manage.
Example: He was in over his head with the new project, not knowing where to start.
16. Last-Ditch Effort
Meaning: A final, desperate attempt.
Example: As a last-ditch effort, they tried to negotiate a deal before the deadline.
17. At One’s Breaking Point
Meaning: On the verge of a mental or emotional collapse.
Example: After weeks of stress, she was at her breaking point.
18. Grasping at Straws
Meaning: Making a hopeless attempt to improve a bad situation.
Example: He was grasping at straws, hoping for a miracle to save his business.
19. In the Lurch
Meaning: Left in a difficult situation without help.
Example: When her partner quit, she was left in the lurch to finish the project alone.
20. The Last Straw
Meaning: The final problem that makes a situation unbearable.
Example: The constant delays were bad enough, but the last straw was when they lost the order.
