dire strait

Frequency: 7.811.5 per million words

Refers to a very serious and difficult situation or condition, almost always used in the plural 'dire straits'.

direADJECTIVE + NOUN

Categories:

strait

Examples (10)

  • The company found itself in dire straits after losing its biggest client.
  • After the accident, he was in dire straits, both physically and emotionally.
  • The country's economy is in dire straits following years of mismanagement.
  • The report highlights the dire straits of the local fishing industry.
  • If we don't receive funding soon, our organization will be in dire straits.
  • Many families were left in dire straits by the sudden recession.
  • He's in really dire straits financially and might have to sell his house.
  • The charity warns that thousands of refugees will be in dire straits this winter without more aid.
  • How did the once-thriving business end up in such dire straits?
  • Our planet is in dire straits due to climate change.