straw 
/ˈstrɑ:/ noun
plural straws /ˈstrɑ:/ noun 1 a [noncount] : the dry stems of wheat and other grain plants
▪ a bed/pile of straw — often used before another noun ▪ a straw hat/mat
b [count] : a single dry stem of a grain plant
▪ He was chewing on a straw. 2 [count] : a thin tube used for sucking up a drink
▪ He asked for a straw for his iced tea. ▪ She drank the juice through a straw.
▪ a bed/pile of straw — often used before another noun ▪ a straw hat/mat
b [count] : a single dry stem of a grain plant
▪ He was chewing on a straw.
▪ He asked for a straw for his iced tea. ▪ She drank the juice through a straw.
clutch/grasp at straws
: to try to solve a problem by doing things that probably will not help
▪ I asked her for a loan. I didn't think she'd agree, but at that point I was grasping at straws.
▪ I asked her for a loan. I didn't think she'd agree, but at that point I was grasping at straws.
draw straws — see 1draw
straw in the wind
: a sign of what might come in the future
▪ A few straws in the wind—such as increased tourism and shopping—suggest that the economy is improving.
▪ A few straws in the wind—such as increased tourism and shopping—suggest that the economy is improving.
the final/last straw or the straw that breaks/broke the camel's back
: the last in a series of bad things that happen to make someone very upset, angry, etc.
▪ It had been a difficult week, so when the car broke down, it was the last straw.
▪ It had been a difficult week, so when the car broke down, it was the last straw.
