draw the short straw
The phrase originates from a practice where people draw straws to randomly select someone for an undesirable task, with the shortest straw signifying the chosen person.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)To be chosen to perform an undesirable task, often through a random selection process.
Example
- She drew the short straw and had to work the night shift.
- Whenever there's an unpleasant chore, it seems like I always draw the short straw.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "draw the short straw":
draw strawspick out of a hatbring up shortleave someone holding the bag