# draw the short straw

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/draw-the-short-straw
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be selected to do an undesirable task (by drawing the shortest straw or otherwise).

## Examples

- I drew the short straw and have to clean the kitchen.
- Everyone else left early, so I drew the short straw and had to finish the report alone.
- Although he had hoped for a quiet evening, he drew the short straw and was tasked with managing the chaotic late-night shift.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.