strait
A narrow piece of sea between two areas of land that connects two larger seas or oceans.
A naturally formed, narrow passage of water that connects two larger areas of sea or ocean and is bordered by land on both sides.
A very hard situation, often because you do not have enough money or important things you need; usually said as "in straits" or "in dire straits".
A very difficult or serious situation, especially one involving severe financial or practical hardship; usually used in the plural as "straits".
Very strict about rules or about what is morally right or wrong; now mostly used in set phrases like "strait-laced".
Very strict or severe in moral standards, rules, or discipline; allowing little freedom or relaxation, now mainly seen in fixed expressions.
Very narrow or very tight, so that movement is difficult; this use is old and now mostly seen in some fixed words like "straitjacket".
Narrow, tight, or confining in a physical sense, especially restricting movement or passage; now chiefly preserved in compounds and older texts.
- Base: strait
- Plural: straits
in desperate straits
1in almost hopeless difficulty
To be in an extremely bad situation that feels almost hopeless, often with no clear way out.
- Refugees arrived at the camp in desperate straits, having lost everything.
- The company was in desperate straits before the government loan arrived.
- He turned to crime only when he was in desperate straits.
in economic straits
1in serious economic difficulty
To be in serious economic or money trouble, used especially for countries, regions, or big organizations.
- The region has been in economic straits since the decline of heavy industry.
- Several airlines are in economic straits after years of low demand.
- The government stepped in to help industries in economic straits.
in financial straits
1in serious money trouble
To have serious money problems and not enough money to pay for important things.
- Many small shops are in financial straits due to rising rents.
- The report shows that the university is in financial straits.
- Families in financial straits can apply for emergency support.
in severe straits
1in very serious hardship
To be in very serious difficulty or hardship, stronger than just "in straits".
- The hospital is in severe straits and may have to close its emergency room.
- Many charities are in severe straits following the funding cuts.
- The report warned that the pension system is in severe straits.
in straits
1in difficulty or hardship
To be in a difficult situation, often because you do not have enough money or important things you need.
- The farmers are in straits after months without rain.
- The small theater has been in straits since ticket sales fell.
- Many students found themselves in straits when financial aid was cut.
strait and narrow
1strictly moral way of life
A very strict and morally correct way of living; in modern English usually written as "straight and narrow", but originally with "strait".
- His parents hoped religion would keep him on the strait and narrow.
- After his arrest, he promised to stay on the strait and narrow.
- She left prison determined to walk the strait and narrow path.
strait gate
1very narrow entrance or way
A very narrow entrance or way; used mainly in religious or old writing to talk about a hard path that only a few people choose.
- The sermon spoke of the strait gate and the narrow way.
- He compared honest politics to passing through a strait gate.
- The author describes wisdom as a strait gate few are willing to enter.
strait-laced
1very morally strict or proper
Very strict about what is morally right or proper, especially about sex or social behavior, and easily shocked by anything different.
- His parents are quite strait-laced and disapprove of parties.
- She grew up in a strait-laced community where dating was discouraged.
- Despite his strait-laced image, he has a good sense of humor.
straitjacket
1jacket that restrains movement
A very strong jacket that holds a person’s arms so they cannot move them, used in the past to control people in mental hospitals; also used to talk about something that limits freedom very strongly.
- The film showed an old asylum where patients were put in a straitjacket.
- They argued that the new law is a straitjacket on free speech.
- Some teachers feel the strict curriculum is a straitjacket in the classroom.
in dire straits
1in a very difficult situation
To be in a very serious or very difficult situation, often with money or basic needs.
- After several bad investments, the company found itself in dire straits.
- Many small businesses are in dire straits after months of low sales.
- Without outside help, the community will be in dire straits by the end of the year.
in dire straits
2in very serious difficulty
To be in a very bad and serious situation, often with big money problems or very few choices.
- After the factory closed, many local families were in dire straits.
- The organization is in dire straits and may not survive another year.
- Without outside help, the hospital will soon be in dire straits.