straw

Universal Words noun 1 [U] stems of wheat or other grain plants that have been cut and dried. Straw is used for making MATS, hats, etc., for packing things to protect them, and as food for animals or for them to sleep on: a mattress filled with straw * a straw hat compareHAY 2 [C] a single stem or piece of straw: He was leaning over the gate chewing on a straw. 3 (also drinking straw) a thin tube of plastic or paper that you suck a drink through IDIOMS clutch / grasp at straws to try all possible means to find a solution or some hope in a difficult or unpleasant situation, even though this seems very unlikely: I know I'm just clutching at straws here, but is it possible that the doctors are wrong? the last / final straw