draw the short straw
Be randomly chosen
To draw the short straw is to be the unlucky one selected for an unpleasant task or bad outcome—from the method of choosing randomly by having people pull straws of unequal length from a hand.
Someone had to tell the boss, and I drew the short straw.
The phrase implies selection by chance rather than merit or fault.
- unfortunateDeserving of pity
- unluckyProne to misfortune
- tough breakUnfortunate turn of events
- mischanceUnlucky occurrence
- mishapMinor unfortunate occurrence
bear the brunt · casting lots · pay the price · bite the bullet · misadventure · fall guy · loser · draw lots · take one for the team · luck of the draw · shoulder the burden · roll the dice · coin toss · toss-up · random selection · gamble · bad luck · scapegoat
draw the short strawluck out
Succeed through chance
hit the jackpot · get lucky · land on your feet · come out on top · strike gold
draw the short strawscore
Numerical standing in competition
make out like a bandit · come out on top · get off easy · skate by
draws, drawing, drawings, drawer, drawers, short, shorts, shorter, shortest