short straw
Britishnoun
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sometimes in life, you draw the short straw.
From Slate ● Jul. 29, 2026
But experts contacted by AFP said Ecuador may draw the short straw in its standoff with Colombia, whose ministry of mines and energy announced a suspension of "international electricity transactions" with the neighboring country.
From Barron's ● Jan. 22, 2026
West Ham have drawn the short straw amongst English clubs in being given an early kick-off time as broadcaster TNT split the four games where the Premier League sides, plus Glasgow Rangers, are at home.
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2024
Four teams are idle, as the Colts, Dolphins, Patriots and Eagles all drew the short straw with the latest off weeks of the season.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 6, 2021
“I just got on a master’s bad side. He made sure I drew the short straw for this little trip.”
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
