in dire straits
idiom
: in a very bad or difficult situation
With its best player out of the game, the team found itself in dire straits.
Examples of in dire straits in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In October 1843, Charles Dickens was in dire straits.
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Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 14 Dec. 2024
He’s intrigued, and, knowing Ruth is in dire straits, asks her to come aboard.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024
There’s the implication that the receiver is in dire straits and perhaps needs the cash more than, say, a cashmere sweater.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 19 Nov. 2024
Both sidestep that barring congressional action, the program will be in dire straits in about a decade.
—Louis Jacobson, Samantha Putterman, Austin American-Statesman, 10 Sep. 2024
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Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 14 Dec. 2024
He’s intrigued, and, knowing Ruth is in dire straits, asks her to come aboard.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024
There’s the implication that the receiver is in dire straits and perhaps needs the cash more than, say, a cashmere sweater.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 19 Nov. 2024
Both sidestep that barring congressional action, the program will be in dire straits in about a decade.
—Louis Jacobson, Samantha Putterman, Austin American-Statesman, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for in dire straits
Dictionary Entries Near in dire straits
Cite this Entry
“In dire straits.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20dire%20straits. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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