in dire straits
idiom
: in a very bad or difficult situation
With its best player out of the game, the team found itself in dire straits.
Examples of in dire straits in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Raiders are in dire straits across the board and are still in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
—
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 13 Dec. 2025
The government in Caracas denies that the economy is in dire straits.
—Phil Gunson, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2025
These groups need to assist anyone in dire straits.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
But anything short of clear optimism about returning in the near future is going to add to concern for a Yankees team that is in dire straits.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in dire straits
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Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 13 Dec. 2025
The government in Caracas denies that the economy is in dire straits.
—Phil Gunson, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2025
These groups need to assist anyone in dire straits.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
But anything short of clear optimism about returning in the near future is going to add to concern for a Yankees team that is in dire straits.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in dire straits
Cite this Entry
“In dire straits.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20dire%20straits. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
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