clutching at straws

Out of desparation, the act of reaching or stretching for a solution, no matter how irrational or inconsequential. Literally - a drowning person who, unable to find any substantial floatation immediately at had, attempts to save himself from certain death by grabbing hold of a few stray pieces of straw floating on the water within arm's length.

The Senator from Florida, caught red-handed sending lewd and lascivious text messages to underage male pages, was clutching at straws for an alibi and escape. Alcoholism? Resignation?

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