dire straits

== English == === Alternative forms === dire straights (misspelling) === Etymology === First use appears c. 1817. See cite below. The phrase stems from nautical terminology, where straits refers to narrow, treacherous passages of water between landmasses, posing serious navigation risks. === Noun === dire straits pl (plural only) (idiomatic) A difficult position or situation. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:difficult situation ==== Translations ==== === References === “dire straits”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.