[grasp at
straws] or [clutch at straws] {v. phr.} To depend onsomething that is useless or
unable to help in a time of trouble ordanger; try something with little hope of
succeeding.
To depend onyour memory without studying for a test is to grasp
at straws.
Therobber clutched at straws to make excuses. He said he wasn't
in thecountry when the robbery happened.
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