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What does 'dire straits' mean?

Updated: 4/29/2024
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14y ago

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It means you are in a very dangerous or precarious position. When you are threading your way through troubles as if you were traversing a dangerously narrow passage you are in "dire straits." The expression and the band by that name are often transformed by those who don't understand the word "strait" into "dire straights." The word dire means 'having dreadful or terrible consequences'. A strait is a narrow strip of water between two or more pieces of land, as in The Straits of Gibralta. Finding a safe passage through a strait requires great skill and/or luck.

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14y ago
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1w ago

"Dire straits" refers to a very serious or difficult situation, typically one that involves a great deal of trouble or hardship. It is often used to describe a critical or desperate predicament.

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Related questions

Who sang money for nothing?

Dire straits


What was the name of Dire straits' debut album?

Dire Straits


How do you use dire straits in a sentence?

You will be in dire straits if you do not learn your vocabulary words.


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What has the author Michael Oldfield written?

Michael Oldfield has written: 'Dire Straits' -- subject(s): Dire Straits (Musical group)


When was Tunnel of Love - Dire Straits song - created?

Tunnel of Love - Dire Straits song - was created on 1980-08-25.


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Love over Gold - Dire Straits song - was created in 1984.


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David Knopfler and Pick Withers left Dire Straits to branch out on their own.


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Dire Straits On the Night - 1993 V is rated/received certificates of: Australia:G


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London


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a song by Dire Straits