Definition

1. Noun:
   • A drastic or extreme action taken when all other options have failed or are unavailable: A "desperate measure" is an action undertaken out of urgency and despair, typically involving significant risk or sacrifice, because it is seen as the only remaining solution to a severe problem.

Usage

• This term is used to describe actions that are not considered under normal circumstances due to their extreme, risky, or morally questionable nature. They are last-resort solutions.
• It is often used with verbs like "take," "resort to," "adopt," or "consider."
• The phrase implies a context of crisis, high stakes, and limited choices.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The government considered price controls as a desperate measure to curb hyperinflation.
  • Stealing food was a desperate measure for the survival of his family.
  • When negotiations broke down, they had to resort to desperate measures.

Advanced Usage

• "As a desperate measure": Used to frame an action explicitly as a last resort.
  • He sold his car, as a desperate measure, to pay for the emergency surgery.
• "Driven to desperate measures": Describes the state of being forced into taking such actions.
  • Pushed to the brink of bankruptcy, the company was driven to desperate measures.

Variants and Related Words

• Desperation (n): The state of being desperate, which leads to desperate measures.
  • His actions were born out of pure desperation.
• Last resort (n): A very similar concept, meaning the final option available.
  • Litigation should be a last resort.

Synonyms

• Last-ditch effort: A final attempt made when everything else has failed.
• Extreme step: A severe or radical action.
• Drastic action: A forceful and extreme measure.

Related Phrases

• Measure of last resort: A more formal way to express a final, desperate action.
  • The law permits such force only as a measure of last resort.
• Final/Last gamble: Emphasizes the high-risk, all-or-nothing nature of a desperate measure.
  • The military offensive was the general's final gamble.

Noun

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