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Anonymous Posted 21 years ago
Jokes, Puzzles & Riddles
straits or strains?
I know the phrase 'dire straits' means that one is in trouble / facing hard times.
But can 'straits' be used on its own to mean the same?
In this sentence....
Lack of money can cause worrying _______ within a family.
Is the answer:
a) straits, or
b) strains
When checking the dictionary, 'straits' seems more appropriate... but my gut tells me that 'strains' is the right one.
Please help!
But can 'straits' be used on its own to mean the same?
In this sentence....
Lack of money can cause worrying _______ within a family.
Is the answer:
a) straits, or
b) strains
When checking the dictionary, 'straits' seems more appropriate... but my gut tells me that 'strains' is the right one.
Please help!
Top answer
Straits is correct here. Straits are generally bad, and very worrying straits are dire straits .
- Straits is correct here.
- Straits are generally bad, and very worrying straits are dire straits .
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5 Answers
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Straits is correct here. Straits are generally bad, and very worrying straits are dire straits.
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Dear Anonymous,
It is an interesting question.
Lack of money can cause worrying _______ within a family.
Is the answer:
a) straits, or
b) strains
It is true that «dire straits» are worrying. But I do not think «worrying straits» is the answer here. The lack of money causes «strains». The «strains» are worrying.
Kind regards,
It is an interesting question.
Lack of money can cause worrying _______ within a family.
Is the answer:
a) straits, or
b) strains
It is true that «dire straits» are worrying. But I do not think «worrying straits» is the answer here. The lack of money causes «strains». The «strains» are worrying.
Kind regards,
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In my opinion, being in dire straits is a cliche indicating severe trouble or problems - often of a monetary nature. Dire means is awful or appalling - straits a constriction - as in the Straits of Gibraltar.
I would not split the two words up if I were you - I think that strains is a much better fit in the context of the sentence.
TJW
I would not split the two words up if I were you - I think that strains is a much better fit in the context of the sentence.
TJW
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Looking at this again 4 months later, I see that your argument is strong; still, I find strains in the plural quite odd, and will be loyal to my initial opinion: straits--
plural noun
a difficult and troubled situation, especially because of financial problems:
So many companies are in such dire/difficult straits that their prices
plural noun
a difficult and troubled situation, especially because of financial problems:
So many companies are in such dire/difficult straits that their prices
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