the short straw



the short straw

The least favorable, desirable, or fortunate outcome in a given selection. I got the short straw when it came to cleaning up after our shift last night. Our team was given the short straw and had to come in over the weekend to work on the revised proposal.
See also: short, straw

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
DerbyDAHR-bee, DUR-beeEnglish (Rare)
Fu-Chinese
LorccÁNLOR-kanIrish
Paz (2)-Hebrew
Gwil-Welsh
Maj-Slovene