desperate measure

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Explanation of "Desperate Measure"

Definition:
A "desperate measure" is an action that someone takes when they feel they have no other options left. It usually means that the situation is very serious, and the person is willing to try something extreme or unusual because they are in trouble or need help.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "desperate measure" when talking about actions taken in urgent or difficult situations.
• It is often used in the context of problems that seem unsolvable without taking serious risks.

Examples:

1. Basic Example: "When the storm destroyed their crops, the farmers had to take desperate measures to save their livelihood."
2. In a Sentence: "She knew it was a desperate measure, but she decided to ask for help from her old boss."

Advanced Usage:

• In more complex discussions, "desperate measures" can refer to actions that are not typically considered acceptable or safe. For example, in a business context, one might say, "The company resorted to desperate measures by cutting costs drastically, which might hurt their reputation."

Word Variants:

• Desperation (noun): The state of being desperate. Example: "In a state of desperation, he made a risky choice."
• Desperate (adjective): Feeling or showing a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad that it is impossible to deal with. Example: "She was in a desperate situation."

Different Meanings:

While "desperate measure" usually refers to extreme actions taken in dire situations, the word "desperate" on its own can also describe feelings of hopelessness or extreme urgency without necessarily implying action.

Synonyms:

• Last resort
• Extreme action
• Final attempt
• Risky solution

Idioms:

• "Throwing caution to the wind": This means taking a risk without worrying about the consequences, similar to taking desperate measures.
• "Bending the rules": This means changing or ignoring rules in a serious situation, which can also relate to desperate measures.

Phrasal Verbs:

• "Fall back on": To rely on something in a difficult situation. Example: "When all else failed, they had to fall back on desperate measures."

Conclusion:

"Desperate measure" is a useful phrase to describe extreme actions taken when someone feels there is no other choice.

Academic

Noun

1. desperate actions taken as a means to an end
   • he had to resort to desperate measures