straw

13 ENTRIES FOUND:

straw /ˈstrɑː/ noun

plural straws

straw

/ˈstrɑː/

noun

plural straws

Learner's definition of STRAW

a [noncount] : the dry stems of wheat and other grain plants禾秆；干麦秆；稻草

— often used before another noun常用于另一名词前

b [count] : a single dry stem of a grain plant（一根）麦秆，稻草

[count] : a thin tube used for sucking up a drink（喝饮料用的）吸管

clutch/grasp at straws

: to try to solve a problem by doing things that probably will not help（为摆脱困境）抓救命稻草，不放过任何机会

I asked her for a loan. I didn't think she'd agree, but at that point I was grasping at straws.我向她借了钱。我知道她是不会同意的，但是当时我是不放过任何一个机会。

— see ¹draw

: a sign of what might come in the future（未来事态的）迹象，征兆，苗头

A few straws in the wind—such as increased tourism and shopping—suggest that the economy is improving.一些迹象，比如旅游和购物消费的增长，表明经济正在好转。

or the straw that breaks/broke the camel's back

: the last in a series of bad things that happen to make someone very upset, angry, etc.压垮骆驼的最后一根稻草；使人终于不堪重负的事

It had been a difficult week, so when the car broke down, it was the last straw.那本已是艰难的一周，所以当车坏掉时我们终于不堪忍受了。