Desperate (4)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">desperate</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I know that desperate can be written as dire)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for dire that I've seen before include "to speak (13) [FRENCH]" , "Ride in dreadful state" , "Frightful" , "Really dreadful - ride on" , "'Dreadful, awful (4)'" .)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">desperate</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">('do or die' can describe a desperate situation)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">desperate</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">('do or die' can describe a desperate situation)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for do-or-die that I've seen before include "Involving a final desperate attempt" , "Succeed or perish" , "Showing a determination not to compromise" , "Make a final desperate attempt to achieve" , "'Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to . . . . . . .' (2.2,3)" .)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">desperate</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(similar in meaning)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for hopeless that I've seen before include "Feeling or causing despair" , "Despairing - pathetic" , "Inefficient" , "With no chance of success" , "Despairing or futile" .)