Meaning & use
in dire straits
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
In a very difficult or dangerous situation, especially involving serious trouble or lack of money.
Grammar: Used after 'be' or 'find oneself': The business is in dire straits.
Patterns
- be in dire straits
- find oneself in dire straits
- in dire financial straits
After losing their jobs, the family was in dire straits.
The hospital is in dire straits because of funding cuts.
Many small businesses are in dire straits due to the pandemic.
Common combinations
- be in dire straits
- The charity is in dire straits and needs donations urgently.
- find oneself in dire straits
- He found himself in dire straits after his savings ran out.
- in dire financial straits
- The company is in dire financial straits and may close.
Synonyms and how they differ
- in a bad way
- In a bad way is more informal and can refer to health or condition; 'in dire straits' suggests a more extreme, urgent crisis.
- in trouble
- In trouble is broader and less serious; 'in dire straits' implies severe hardship or danger.
Opposites
Commonly confused: in dire straits or dire straights?
in dire straits vs dire straights
The correct spelling is 'straits' (a difficult situation), not 'straights' (direct lines or heterosexual people).
Practice
Which sentence uses 'in dire straits' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 0 correctly uses 'in dire straits' after 'was' to mean the company was in serious trouble. The others misuse the phrase grammatically.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “in dire straits”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.