Reference meaning
draw straws
Last updated
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.
Other meanings
2. verb
To decide by any means of chance.
Source and scope
This definition is reproduced from English Wiktionary, sense en-draw_straws-en-verb-HUi1YtKL, under the CC BY-SA 4.0. It has not yet received VocabularyBase editorial review. Read the source and license details.