catch at straws
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Dying men catch at straws, and, to appeal to this passage is as if one were catching at a straw.
From The Doctrines of Predestination, Reprobation, and Election by Wallace, Robert
But at the time I thought of none of these things—"drowning men will catch at straws," says the old adage—and my hastily formed plan seemed to me to promise success.
From Seven and Nine years Among the Camanches and Apaches An Autobiography by Johnson, Clark, M.D.
"Good luck to you, beastie, and may you find a secure hiding place until your quills have grown." rowning men catch at straws.
From Astounding Stories of Super-Science, November, 1930 by Various
Mr. Shepley pretended to think that the picture resembled his wife, and this idea was seized upon as drowning men catch at straws.
From Half a Century by Swisshelm, Jane Grey Cannon
V. overestimate, overrate, overvalue, overprize, overweigh, overreckon†, overstrain, overpraise; eulogize; estimate too highly, attach too much importance to, make mountains of molehills, catch at straws; strain, magnify; exaggerate &c.
From Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases by Roget, Peter Mark
