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short straw

British  

noun

  1. to be the person (as in drawing lots) to whom an unwelcome task or fate falls

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

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

So, they have a point to prove and Denver drew the short straw.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2022

Many so-called night people feel that, when it comes to society's expectations about when the workday should start, they drew the short straw.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2022

“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

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