Correct

捞稻草

/ lāo dàocǎo /
Strokes

Definition

to fish for a straw/futile attempt to gain profit

Example

Definition

clutch at a straw―try to extricate oneself from dangers or difficulties

1
Tīngdào
听到
zhèhuà
这话
  
,
hǎoxiàng
好像
lāo
dào
liǎo
gēn
jiùmìng
救命
dàocǎo
稻草
  

At this news, he behaved like a drowning man clutching at a straw.

Definition

capitalize on sth; attempt to take advantage of sth

2
如此
chuīpěng
吹捧
lǐngdǎo
领导
  
,
yòu
shì
xiǎng
lāo
diǎnr  
点儿
shénme
什么
dàocǎo
稻草
  
?

Why did he flatter the leader in such a way? Is it that he wanted to gain some political advantages?