draw straws

draw straws
to decide at random; especially by drawing (selecting randomly between) straws, sticks etc. Typically, whoever draws the short straw from among a selection of longer straws must complete some undesirable task

They drew straws to see who had to wash the dishes.


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  • draw straws — phrasal : to draw lots using straws of uneven length for lots * * * draw straws ◇ If you draw straws, you choose a stick from a group of sticks that are different sizes but that are being held in such a way that they look like they are all the… …   Useful english dictionary

  • draw straws (for something) — ˌdraw ˈstraws (for sth) idiom to decide on sb to do or have sth, by choosing pieces of paper, etc • We drew straws for who went first. Main entry: ↑drawidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • draw straws — phrasal to decide or assign something by lottery in which straws of unequal length are used …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • draw lots — {v. phr.} To select at random from a series in order to determine precedents or apportionment. * /The refugees to be evacuated drew lots on who would get a place on the first airplane out of the besieged city./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • draw lots — {v. phr.} To select at random from a series in order to determine precedents or apportionment. * /The refugees to be evacuated drew lots on who would get a place on the first airplane out of the besieged city./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • draw — drawable, adj. /draw/, v., drew, drawn, drawing, n. v.t. 1. to cause to move in a particular direction by or as if by a pulling force; pull; drag (often fol. by along, away, in, out, or off). 2 …   Universalium

  • draw — [[t]drɔ[/t]] v. drew, drawn, draw•ing, n. 1) to cause to move in a particular direction by or as if by a pulling force; pull; drag (often fol. by along, away, in, out, or off) 2) cvb to pull down or over so as to cover, or to pull up or aside so… …   From formal English to slang

  • draw lots — cast lots we drew lots to see who gets to drive Syn: toss/flip a coin, draw straws, throw/roll (the) dice …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • draw/cast lots — DECIDE RANDOMLY, spin/toss a coin, throw dice, draw straws. → lot …   Useful english dictionary

  • draw the short straw — To be given an unpleasant task, duty, etc, or the most unpleasant of several • • • Main Entry: ↑short draw the short straw To be entrusted with an unpleasant task (as a result of, or as if by, drawing straws) • • • Main Entry: ↑straw * * *… …   Useful english dictionary

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