Draw the short straw In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "draw the short straw", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Kathy Cao calendar 2021-04-08 10:04

Meaning of Draw the short straw

Synonyms:

to get the short end of the stick , run out of road , get into a difficult situation

Draw the short straw British Verb + object/complement

This is an idiom expresses bad luck or that you are picked to do something undesirable.

to have to do the least enjoyable of a range of duties, often because you have been chosen to do it or obtain the least favorable, desirable, or fortunate outcome in a given selection.

Lucy was picked to be tested that if she was using 100% of her brain. Guess she didn't like that and drew the short straw.

I had drawn the short straw again because I was the only one who stayed at the store to clean up after our shift last night.

Our team drew the short straw and had to come in over the weekend to work on the revised proposal.

Other phrases about:

time marches on

Time keeps passing.

The author of your own misfortune
to be blamed because of one's own problem
drastic times call for drastic measures

When you experience extreme and undesirable situations, it is probably essential to take extreme actions

what the eye doesn't see (the heart doesn't grieve over)
You cannot feel upset, angry or worried about something if you do not know about it.
Stupid-o'clock
 A period of time in a day which revolves around 1 a.m to 5 a.m, it is considered unreasonable to do anything in this period.

Grammar and Usage of Draw the short straw

Verb Forms

  • drawing the short straw
  • drawn the short straw
  • drew the short straw
  • to draw the short straw

This phrase starts with a verb. You need to conjugate verbs

Origin of Draw the short straw

Nowadays, drawing lots is known as deciding who will do something by having each person in a group, and then drawing a piece of paper from a container, each with something different written on it, such as person’s name. Drawing lots originally meant to draw from cast or throw straws or pebbles. Another, newer version of drawing lots was to draw straws from the hand. When drawing straws, a bundle of straws is held in the hand with the ends of the straws sticking out of the hand, and the other ends are concealed. One of the straws is shorter than the others, but since the protruding ends are held so that no one can tell which straw it is. Each person chooses a straw to pull out of the hand. The person who chooses the short straw is chosen to perform the task.

Drawing lots dates from the 1400’s but drawing straws is much later, dating from the 1800’s. And older version of both is to draw cuts. People used to draw straws in England to be selected for something. This means they used blades of grass, straw or hay. All but one would be the same length, the odd one would be short. The straws would be gathered in someone's hand with all straws sticking out the top, to hide which was the shorter one. People take turns choosing a straw and the one who chose the short one was the one selected for whatever they were trying to do.

The Origin Cited:
error

Report Error

Do you see anything wrong?

Share your idioms

If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.

Submit An Idiom

Make a Donation!

Help us update and complete more idioms

Donate

TODAY
a hedge between keeps friendship green

Friendships will develop well and be successful when the friends respect each other's privacy.

Example:

You should respect your friend's privacy. A hedge between keeps friendship green. 

Join the Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates!

Darkmode