dire straits

collocation in English

meaningsofdireandstrait

These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withstrait.
dire
adjective
uk
/daɪər/us
/daɪr/
very serious ...
See more atdire
strait
noun
uk
/streɪt/us
/streɪt/
a narrow area of sea that connects two larger areas ...
See more atstrait

(Definition ofdireandstraitfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)

Examplesofdire straits

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
To be sure, not everyone in the tory leadership felt that they were in such dire straits.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Then, the theistic activist would be in dire straits.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Groups that secured legislative change were all in economic need, although being in dire straits was not a sufficient condition, as many needy groups were not accorded similar legal protection.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Firstly, a crucial line was often drawn between acting prudently in dire straits, and devising a premeditated strategy of survival before any tangible threat presented itself.
From theCambridge English Corpus
He described institutions in ruin, an economy in dire straits.
FromEuroparl Parallel Corpus - English
She is in dire straits and unable to make ends meet.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
And in the dire straits in which this country now finds itself it is what overseas opinion believes that matters.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
In the past month, there has been, admittedly, a marginal improvement in this sector but, overall, the building and construction industry is in dire straits.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is no wonder that the commuter services are in dire straits.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
If it were not for action by local authorities and clubs for the over-60s, the majority would be in dire straits.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
That is not an unreasonable request when we think of the dire straits the industry is in.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
This once thriving town, in a once thriving area, has been reduced to dire straits.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
The whole of the commercial vehicle building industry, which is in dire straits, needs an early decision.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
After all, it is not intended to help those in dire straits; it has no relation to what they—or, if they are babies, their parents—do.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
That would be a welcome addition to many people who are in dire straits and are having difficulties in either a hopeful or tragic situation.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
A further letter points out the dire straits of the dairy industry at present.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
What does he have in mind for future grants to these people, who are in dire straits and dire need?
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
At present the fishing industry is in dire straits.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I am astonished that the employers about whom we have heard as regards this and previous amendments are in such dire straits.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Does he not know that many old-age pensioners are now having to sell their assets and are in very dire straits?
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Want to learn more?
Go to the definition ofdire
Go to the definition ofstrait
See other collocations withstrait