desperate straits

• Situation de difficulté extrême, de danger ou de privation, souvent liée à des problèmes financiers ou à un manque de choix.

A situation of extreme difficulty, danger, or hardship, often involving financial trouble or a lack of options.

1. Extreme difficulty or dangerC1formal

   A situation of great hardship, danger, or urgency, where options are very limited.

   détresse extrême

   • The company was in desperate straits after the market crash.
   • The stranded hikers were in desperate straits, with no food or water.
   • During the war, the city found itself in desperate straits.