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

1. 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

• Czech: tonoucí se i stébla chytá, tonoucí se stébla chytá
• 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