desperate times call for desperate measures
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
In adverse circumstances, actions that might have been rejected under other circumstances may become the best choice.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “desperate times call for desperate measures” mean?
In adverse circumstances, actions that might have been rejected under other circumstances may become the best choice.
Is “desperate times call for desperate measures” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.