the wooden spoon

the wooden spoon

The imaginary prize for the person finishing in last place in a competition. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I don't expect to win, but I sure hope I don't get the wooden spoon!
See also: spoon, wooden
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the wooden spoon

BRITISH
COMMON If you say that someone gets the wooden spoon, you mean that they are the last in a race or competition or are the worst at a particular activity. Cosmos will almost certainly get the wooden-spoon for the second year in a row if they lose. Britain's bureaucrats won the EU's wooden spoon yesterday, as the worst linguists in Brussels. Note: You can use wooden spoon before a noun. After their third defeat, the Hawks have confirmed their place as wooden spoon contenders this season. Note: At one time, the student who got the lowest marks in their final mathematics exam at Cambridge University was given a wooden spoon.
See also: spoon, wooden
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • wooden spoonist
  • up on (one's) ear
  • chip
  • chips
  • Two Bob
  • (as) dead as mutton
  • dead as mutton
  • mutton
  • black stump
  • one of the boys
References in classic literature
'Just over,' said Mrs Squeers, choking the last boy in her hurry, and tapping the crown of his head with the wooden spoon to restore him.
good!" cried Tom, applauding with the wooden spoon. "That 's a model sermon, Polly, short, sweet, sensible, and not a bit sleepy.
The Wooden Spoon contract is the latest in a number of rugby-related assignments for mm&d, whose clients include the Newcastle Falcons and the London Scottish FC rugby team.
Since the moment of its invention, the wooden spoon has been integral to an impressive variety of cultural traditions.
Mr Pemble said: "We've put together a very affordable event to encourage the corporate sector in particular to come and learn what Wooden Spoon is about while showcasing just what can be achieved.'' Last year the Wooden Spoon in the West Midlands built a sensory room for a special school and donated money for a major refurbishment of Harborne based Focus Birmingham, accommodating school leavers with sight loss.
In total, the Ford Great Lakeland Challenge is set to raise pounds 70,000 for the Wooden Spoon charity.
"We only use the wooden spoon and that is only when she is being naughty and we give her fair chance to rectify the situation and we talk her through it," she revealed.
THE PRINCESS ROYAL on Tuesday unveiled a plaque in honour of the pounds 33,000 grant received from The Wooden Spoon charity, which enabled development of the cloakroom, washing facilities and a quiet room at Greatwood, the racehorse welfare centre.
"A couple of young lads were looking at my bodhran during the first half and must have taken the wooden spoon out.
The Wooden Spoon Anti Assassins are taking on the full Royal Navy side with proceeds going to the RFU Wooden Spoon charity.
They say Wales are only a 5-2 shot for the wooden spoon. Scotland, who beat Wales so convincingly at Murrayfield, remain 6-5 favourites to finish last, with Italy also tipped to be below Wales at 7-4.
N WALES captain Stephen Jones believes pride and mental toughness will drive his side on to a crucial victory over Italy and see them avoid the wooden spoon.
With the Wooden Spoon charity, we can make a difference in our area.
Little was hurt when he couldn't avoid crashing into Exeter's Mark Lemon during an early race in last Sunday's victory but he still won Heat 14 to help Newcastle stay ahead of Newport in the struggle to avoid the wooden spoon.
Bring attention to the Wooden Spoon Project by painting a few old wooden spoons and hanging them from the ceilings in your store.