# straw that stirs the drink

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/straw-that-stirs-the-drink
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The person who stimulates or inspires a group; the major factor affecting a trend or set of developments.

## Examples

- She is the straw that stirs the drink in our office.
- The team struggled for weeks, but once their captain returned, he proved to be the straw that stirs the drink.
- While the manager handles the logistics, the lead developer is truly the straw that stirs the drink, driving the team toward innovation and success.

## Origin

Possibly originating in 1977 with a widely-reported self-descriptive remark by baseball player Reggie Jackson. (disputed)

---

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.