a drowning man will clutch at a straw

English

Alternative forms

a drowning man will grab at a straw
a drowning man will grasp at a straw
a drowning man will grab at straws
a drowning man will grasp at straws

Proverb

a drowning man will clutch at a straw

A person in desperate need of help will grab hold of some help, even if it is insignificant.

Related terms

grasp at straws

Translations

Translations

Finnish: hukkuva tarttuu oljenkorteen
French: tout est bon à qui se noie
Polish: tonący brzytwy się chwyta (pl)
Russian: утопа́ющий и за соло́минку хвата́ется (utopájuščij i za solóminku xvatájetsja)

See also

beggars can't be choosers

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