draw straws
The idiom 'draw straws' refers to a method of making random decisions by selecting straws of varying lengths, often used to avoid bias or arguments.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic, informal)To make a random choice by selecting from straws of different lengths, where the person who picks the shortest or longest straw is chosen for a task or responsibility.
Example
- We had to draw straws to decide who would stay late at work.
- To avoid any arguments, they decided to draw straws to see who would take the first turn.
B2Decision-Making
(informal)To use a method of random selection to determine who will do something, typically by picking from straws of varying lengths.
Example
- The team drew straws to see who would present the project.
- Rather than arguing, they drew straws to decide the order of play.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "draw straws":
draw the short strawpick out of a hatdraw aheadroll the dicegrasp at strawsdraw intodraw and quarter