0 a narrow area of sea that connects two larger areas of sea:
the Straits of Gibraltar
1 a difficult situation, especially because of financial problems:
2 a narrow area of water that connects two larger areas of water:
The strait lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
To be sure, not everyone in the tory leadership felt that they were in such dire straits.
Piece by piece the blank areas of the polar chart were filled in: discernible features - capes, bays, and navigable straits - gradually replaced fantastical sea-beasts and magnetic mountains.
I believe that to be of crucial importance, certainly in cases where operators are in dire financial straits, as many currently are.
He described institutions in ruin, an economy in dire straits.
She is in dire straits and unable to make ends meet.
Is it not true that at the moment it is in dire financial straits, and not making a profit?
Here, lacking a sense of purpose, desolate and frightened, they seek those in similar straits since the option of family support is no longer there.
I think it is a great thing that both sides of the straits are following our debate today.
