What is another word for catching at straws?
Pronunciation: [kˈat͡ʃɪŋ at stɹˈɔːz] (IPA) 
Catching at straws is an idiomatic expression that refers to grasping at something desperate or unlikely in the hopes of finding a solution or an escape from a difficult situation. There are several synonyms for this phrase, including clutching at straws, grasping at straws, reaching for straws, and straw clutching. These expressions are all used to describe the act of struggling to find a way out of a problem, even though the odds may be against us. Other colloquial expressions that might be used in place of catching at straws include scraping the bottom of the barrel, clutching at a lifeline, and playing the last card.
