straw poll
A survey of opinion or a vote that is nonbinding, unofficial, casual, or ad hoc.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Let's do a quick straw poll to see who wants pizza.”
“We take a straw poll to choose a movie for tonight.”
“A quick straw poll shows that most people want to go hiking.”
“Before the official vote, the chair took a straw poll to gauge how members were leaning.”
“The teacher took a straw poll by asking students to raise their hands if they preferred an afternoon exam.”
“Our manager used a straw poll during the meeting to find out which office chair everyone liked best.”
“The senator's team conducted an informal straw poll at the town hall, knowing its results would carry no weight yet might shape their strategy.”
The term likely alludes to the practice of holding a thin plant stalk aloft to determine the direction of the wind. In this construction, the straw serves as a visual indicator for the metaphorical wind of group opinion, providing a brief assessment of the prevailing atmosphere before more substantial measures are taken.
- 01
bang straw
A farmer's servant, especially a thresher.
- 02
buy straw hats in winter
Of stocks, to buy when both demand and price are low, so as to sell when demand and price are high.
- 03
draw the short straw
To be selected to do an undesirable task (by drawing the shortest straw or otherwise).
- 04
grasp at straws
To guess randomly or pursue any apparent option, due to a lack of clear choices or information.
- 05
last straw
A small addition to an already heavy burden which causes it to exceed the capacity.
- 06
make bricks without straw
To accomplish a task without the proper materials or under unreasonable conditions; to do the impossible.
- 07
straw that stirs the drink
The person who stimulates or inspires a group; the major factor affecting a trend or set of developments.
- 08
the straw that broke the camel's back
A small and seemingly insignificant addition to a burden that renders it too much to bear; the small thing which causes failure, or causes inability or unwillingness to endure any more of something.
Last updated August 10, 2026