draw straws
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Verb
draw straws (third-person singular simple present draws straws, present participle drawing straws, simple past drew straws, past participle drawn straws)
- To decide at random by drawing (selecting randomly between) straws, sticks, etc., one of which differs from the others (typically by being shorter), held in a person's hand so as to conceal which is the different one. Typically, whoever draws the short straw must complete some undesirable task. Alternatively, whoever draws the longest straw gets a desired position.
- They drew straws to see who had to wash the dishes.
- 1990 January 23, Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes (comic):
- We drew straws, and today's my day to go to school. We're all taking turns so we each only go once a week.
- (by extension) To decide by any means of chance.
Translations
decide at random
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See also
- cast lots
- draw lots
- draw the short straw
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