draw the short straw

draw the short straw

To obtain the least favorable, desirable, or fortunate outcome in a given selection. ("Drawing straws" is a technique for deciding something at random. The act of drawing straws does not have to occur for this phrase to be used.) I drew the short straw when it came to cleaning up after our shift last night. Our team drew the short straw and had to come in over the weekend to work on the revised proposal.
See also: draw, short, straw
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

draw the short straw

mainly BRITISH
If you draw the short straw, you are chosen from a number of people to do a task that nobody wants to do. I drew the short straw and had to take twenty kids to the park. Note: Other verbs such as get and pick are sometimes used instead of draw. Eales got the short straw and was in goal. Note: This expression comes from the practice of using pieces of straw to draw lots. One person holds several pieces of straw in their hand with the ends poking out. Each person in the group takes a piece of straw and the person with the shortest piece loses.
See also: draw, short, straw
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

draw the short straw

be the unluckiest of a group of people, especially in being chosen to perform an unpleasant task.
One method of drawing lots involves holding several straws of varying lengths with one end concealed in your hand and then inviting other members of the group to take one each.
See also: draw, short, straw
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌdraw the short ˈstraw

(British English) (American English get the ˌshort end of the ˈstick) be the person in a group who is chosen or forced to do something unpleasant that nobody wants to do: You’ve drawn the short straw, I’m afraid. You’re going to have to work on New Year’s Day.
See also: draw, short, straw
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • at the very worst
  • at the worst
  • at worst
  • be the best of a bad bunch
  • be the best of a bad lot
  • get to
  • get to (do something)
  • he that would eat the kernel must crack the nut
  • the worst of both worlds
  • the worst of both/all worlds
References in periodicals archive
Who will draw the short straw and face off with Cain?
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Many rural communities draw the short straw when it comes to energy options, with homes that can be less energy efficient and dependent on more expensive heating fuels.
Helping rural communities to work smart [...]
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Charles and Camilla draw the short straw for the annual show, hosted by John Bishop.
choice
Then at 3.25 at Meydan, Red Duke lines up for the UAE Derby and would not be without a chance according to the trainer, who is in Dubai himself - somebody had to draw the short straw!
DUBAI DIARY
"Morgan was unlucky to draw the short straw at Twickenham and I know players from both sides hope he recovers as soon as possible."
Danny took good Care of poor Morgan - Roberts
Worcester won 21-19 but Saints were saved when Harlequins also lost to draw the short straw. This season, with Drahm pulling the strings, the Warriors are making a considerable nuisance of themselves at the other end of the table while the Saints are still flirting with relegation, sitting with the once-mighty Bath three points above bottom club Leeds.
Rugby Union: Warriors take aim at Saints again
Did I just slip over into F or did I just draw the short straw?
Why have Imoved band?
Cheap airlines always seem to draw the short straw when it comes to allocating landing slots.
Comment: Flying start
So we can only presume that some organisations who request the presence of a member of the Royal Family at a special event simply draw the short straw, get allocated the Duke and then do not have the courage to decline the offer.
Time to pension off this ancient Greek
"Whoever was going to draw the short straw was going to be hurting.
Jo edges thriller & Watson downs Ana
We all know its tough for the promoters of independent tracks, but the trainers and owners (if you can find one) do seem to draw the short straw.
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With seven-out-of-10 women with dependent children now working, mums still draw the short straw in this ludicrous and disruptive stop-go-stop arrangement.
End holiday nightmare for parents
The Under 13s, who have won 16 of their 21 games this season, were the team to draw the short straw.
Century of tries marks fantastic YM campaign