draw straws for (something)

draw straws for (something)

To decide something by picking at random from straws of different lengths. The person who pulls the shortest straw is usually the one chosen for something, often an unpleasant task. Let's draw straws for it—it's the only fair way to decide who goes first. Hey, we drew straws for it, and I'm supposed to go first, so get out of the way! Cringing, we each drew straws for the unfortunate task of telling Mrs. Maddox about her broken window.

See also: draw, for, straw

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

draw straws for something

Fig. to decide who gets something or must do something by choosing straws from an unseen set of straws of different lengths. (The person who gets the shortest straw is chosen. See also draw lots.) We drew straws for the privilege of going first. Let's draw straws for it.

See also: draw, for, straw

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.