win the wooden spoon

win the wooden spoon

To finish a contest or competition in last place. (The "wooden spoon" is an imaginary prize said to be awarded to the competitor in last place.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Even though his team won the wooden spoon last season, Edwards feels confident that they have as good a chance as any to win the championship this year. I may not have won the wooden spoon, but that was still one of the worst tournament performances of my career.

See also: spoon, win, wooden

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

win the wooden spoon

be the least successful contestant; win the booby prize.

A wooden spoon was originally presented to the candidate coming last in the Cambridge University mathematical tripos (the final honours examination for a BA degree).

See also: spoon, win, wooden

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

get, win, take, etc. the ˌwooden ˈspoon

(British English, informal) come last in a race or competition: England must win this match if they are to avoid taking the wooden spoon.It was a custom at the University of Cambridge to give a wooden spoon to the student of mathematics who had the lowest mark/grade for their year.

See also: spoon, wooden

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017