Dar patadas de ahogado

Dar patadas de ahogado
 

means grasping at straws/futile effort

I know this is a Colombian usage, and would like to know if it is used elsewhere.

Very common in Mexico.

When you're in a desperate situation when you're going to lose, and you try to do anything you can to keep fighting, even if you know you're doomed. :)

-- El senador López demandó a la revista que publicó sus fotografías.
The senator Lopez sued the magazine that published his photos.
-- Son patadas de ahogado. De todas formas va a tener que renunciar.
That's pointless. He'll have to quit anyway.

- El entrenador del equipo se disculpó por maltratar a los futbolistas, pero está dando patadas de ahogado; lo van a despedir hoy mismo.
The team coach apologized for mistreating the players, but it's useless. He's getting fired today.

Wow! Very thorough. Thank you.