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
The Detroit Pistons entered this season in dire straits, having followed up a 17-win season in 2022-23 with a 14-68 record, the worst ever for franchise, in a campaign that included a 28-game losing streak, the longest in a single season in NBA history.
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Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 2025
But recent state and federal changes, coupled with stimulus money drying up and tight budgets all around, has put it in dire straits.
—Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2025
China's economy remains in dire straits despite an uptick in holiday consumer spending.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
That leaves thousands who hail from among the poorest areas of the West Bank in dire straits as many are forced to rent temporary housing in neighboring villages.
—Julia Frankel, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in dire straits
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Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 2025
But recent state and federal changes, coupled with stimulus money drying up and tight budgets all around, has put it in dire straits.
—Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2025
China's economy remains in dire straits despite an uptick in holiday consumer spending.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
That leaves thousands who hail from among the poorest areas of the West Bank in dire straits as many are forced to rent temporary housing in neighboring villages.
—Julia Frankel, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 29 Mar. 2025.
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