Can 'short straw' be used as a verb?

Not in standard usage. The standard pattern is 'draw/get/pick the short straw'. You might occasionally hear 'to be short-strawed' informally, but it's non-standard.

Is the idiom based on a real practice?

Yes. Drawing straws (or lots) is an ancient method of random selection where one straw is cut shorter than the others. The person who draws the short straw is chosen.

What's the opposite of 'the short straw'?

'The long straw'. However, 'draw the long straw' is less commonly used than 'get lucky' or 'be the winner'.

Can you use it in a positive context?

No. The idiom is inherently negative. It always refers to an undesirable outcome selected by chance or unfair allocation.

Is “short straw” formal?

Short straw is usually informal to semi-formal, mainly figurative. in register.

How do you pronounce “short straw”?

Short straw: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃɔːt ˈstrɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌʃɔːrt ˈstrɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

short straw: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˌʃɔːt ˈstrɔː/US/ˌʃɔːrt ˈstrɑː/

Informal to semi-formal, mainly figurative.

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “short straw” mean?

The least desirable outcome in a random selection process, especially when drawing straws.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The least desirable outcome in a random selection process, especially when drawing straws.

A metaphorical expression for being unlucky, having bad luck, or being assigned an undesirable task, duty, or fate, often through chance or by the decision of others.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Usage and meaning are identical in both varieties. The practice and idiom are equally common.

Connotations

The connotations are universally negative, implying misfortune or an unfair burden.

Frequency

Similar high frequency in both BrE and AmE.

Grammar

How to Use “short straw” in a Sentence

[Subject] + draw/get/pick + the short strawIt was [Subject] + who + got the short straw

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

draw the short strawget the short strawpicked the short straw

medium

end up with the short strawbe the one with the short strawchoose the short straw

weak

unlucky short strawusual short strawshort straw assignment

Examples

Examples of “short straw” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

He was the short-straw candidate for the midnight shift.

American English

She got the short-straw assignment of cold-calling potential donors.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

"In the restructuring, our department drew the short straw and had to absorb all the budget cuts."

Academic

"When assigning the tedious data-entry tasks, the junior research assistant invariably got the short straw."

Everyday

"I always get the short straw and have to do the school run on rainy days."

Technical

Not typically used in highly technical contexts outside of metaphorical, project-management discussions about task allocation.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “short straw”

Strong

get the worst of itbe left holding the bagbe the fall guy

Neutral

be the unlucky onebe the loser (in a draw)be chosen by lot

Weak

be selectedbe picked outbe nominated

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “short straw”

draw the long strawget luckybe the winnercome up trumps

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “short straw”

Using 'short stick' instead of 'short straw' (though sometimes understood). Using it as a verb without 'draw' or 'get' (e.g., 'I was short-strawed').

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Not in standard usage. The standard pattern is 'draw/get/pick the short straw'. You might occasionally hear 'to be short-strawed' informally, but it's non-standard.
: Yes. Drawing straws (or lots) is an ancient method of random selection where one straw is cut shorter than the others. The person who draws the short straw is chosen.
: 'The long straw'. However, 'draw the long straw' is less commonly used than 'get lucky' or 'be the winner'.
: No. The idiom is inherently negative. It always refers to an undesirable outcome selected by chance or unfair allocation.
: The least desirable outcome in a random selection process, especially when drawing straws.
: Short straw is usually informal to semi-formal, mainly figurative. in register.
: Short straw: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃɔːt ˈstrɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌʃɔːrt ˈstrɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“draw the short straw”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a group of people holding straws of different lengths. The person holding the SHORTEST straw is SHORT-changed and gets the bad job.

Conceptual Metaphor

LIFE IS A GAME OF CHANCE / FAIRNESS IS LENGTH (short = unfair/bad, long = fair/good).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

When no one volunteered for the overnight monitor duty, we had to .

Multiple Choice

What does 'draw the short straw' metaphorically mean?