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
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
But even some young Gen Xers in this group are finding themselves in dire straits.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for in dire straits 
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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
But even some young Gen Xers in this group are finding themselves in dire straits.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 19 Oct. 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 21 Dec. 2024.
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