Jackie's in desperate straits

[alpacinou]

Is it common in British English to say someone is in "desperate straits" or "dire straits"? Are these correct and natural?

1. Chris got fired yesterday. He has to find a job soon to pay for his son's surgery. He's in dire straits.
2. Jackie's landlord has threatened to evict her. She has to find a roof over her head soon. She's in desperate straits.

 

[jutfrank]

dire straits yes, very common, desperate straits not very.

Why are you asking only about British English?

 

[alpacinou]

Why are you asking only about British English?

I heard it in an American film, so I know they say it. I wanted to know if it's common in British English too.

Is sentence 1 okay? What about 2 (if I change it to dire straits)?

 

[jutfrank]

I heard it in an American film, so I know they say it. I wanted to know if it's common in British English too.

I don't mean to say that a British English speaker wouldn't use it. I don't think there's any difference between American and British usage here.

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Is sentence 1 okay? What about 2 (if I change it to dire straits)?

Yes, they're both fine.