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short straw

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


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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.

ITV entertainment reporter Ross King told his dance partner Jowita Przystal "you drew the short straw" when it was revealed they would be dancing together on Saturday.

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Rodriguez drew the short straw, making Pratton the winner.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

How it went down in the hall: Tugendhat drew the short straw by being selected to go first and he had to warm the crowd up.

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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.

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It’s unlikely that Senate Republicans will go along with Duckworth’s bill this time either, although we do not yet know which senator will draw the short straw of having to make the objection on the floor.

Read more on Slate

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