To be in a very bleak or grim situation. All of those recent layoffs indicate that the company is in dire straits.I was in dire straits there for awhile, but I'm feeling much better after my hospital stay.
in extreme danger or difficulty Officials in Washington say the peace process is in dire straits.
Usage notes: sometimes used in the forms dire economic straits or dire financial straits: He's been out of work for eight months, and his family is in dire financial straits.
to be in a very difficult or dangerous situation The earthquake and the war will leave the country in dire straits for a long time.They are in dire financial straits.