draw straws

Idioms  

1. Also, draw lots. Decide by a lottery using straws of different lengths. For example, Let's draw straws to see who will write the first draft. The lots version dates from the 1400s, whereas straws dates from the 1800s. Both have replaced the still older draw cuts. Another variant is draw the short straw, meaning to be the one so selected for a particular task.

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Example Sentences

“Having a special election is extremely expensive, especially for a small city. Instead of pushing those funds on the city taxpayers, they voted to draw straws,” she added.

From Los Angeles Times

No. She may enter the annual Balthazar rotation, but draw straws this year to see who gets to go first.

From New York Times

Or if there are three of you in a flat and you all have your own love interests, it could be a time to draw straws.

From BBC

The moderates could draw straws — again, not likely.

From Washington Post

This is merely an anecdote; please do not have your tweens draw straws to determine who sleeps in the car.

From Slate