strait
noun uk/streɪt/ us/streɪt/
(WATER)
[ C usually plural ]海峡
a narrow area of sea that connects two larger areas of sea
the Straits of Gibraltar 直布罗陀海峡
(DIFFICULTY)
straits[ plural ] （尤指财务问题导致的）窘境，困境
a difficult situation, especially because of financial problems
So many companies are in such dire/difficult straits that their prices have come right down. 许多公司财务状况极为窘迫，导致其股价直线下跌。