Draw the short straw Informal

English idiom: Draw the short straw

Last updated: 20.10.2026

Life & LuckLuck & Chance

Equivalent idioms in other languages

  • 🇷🇺 Крайним оказался Разговорное

    Оказаться тем, на кого свалили неприятную обязанность или ответственность. «Оказаться крайним» нередко подразумевает несправедливое назначение виновного, поэтому совпадение с английским выражением лишь частичное.

  • 🇪🇸 Tocarle la china a alguien Informal

    Ser la persona a la que le corresponde por azar una tarea desagradable o una situación poco deseable. «Tocarle la china» es coloquial y puede sugerir mala suerte en el reparto.

  • 🇫🇷 Tirer la courte paille Familier

    Être désigné par le sort pour accomplir une corvée ou supporter une conséquence défavorable. La locution garde l’image concrète du tirage au sort.

Meaning

To be the unlucky person chosen to do an unpleasant task or accept an undesirable outcome, often by chance or an apparently fair selection.

Origin

The idiom comes from drawing straws of unequal length to make a random choice: the person who receives the shortest one loses or takes the unwanted duty. This method of drawing lots has a long history.

Examples

I drew the short straw and had to stay late to close the office.

Someone has to call the angry client, and I drew the short straw.

We drew straws for the night shift, and Jake drew the short straw.

Frequently asked questions

What does 'Draw the short straw' mean?

To be the unlucky person chosen to do an unpleasant task or accept an undesirable outcome, often by chance or an apparently fair selection.

How do you say 'Draw the short straw' in Russian?
Крайним оказался

How do you say 'Draw the short straw' in Spanish?
Tocarle la china a alguien

How do you say 'Draw the short straw' in French?
Tirer la courte paille

Related idioms