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draw the short straw

If you draw the short straw, you are chosen from a number of people to perform a task or duty that nobody wants to do. Other verbs are sometimes used instead of `draw'. This expression is used mainly in British English.

Brenner drained his glass with a sense of relief, thankful that it was someone else, probably Hean, who had drawn the short straw.

It sounds very much as though you pulled something of a short straw there, Jim. There's not very much we can do about it, I'm afraid.

the last straw

the final straw

If you say that something is the last straw or the final straw, you mean it is the latest in a series of unpleasant or difficult events, and it makes you feel that you cannot tolerate a situation any longer. Compare the straw that breaks the camel's back.

societies have been under enormous pressure to increase savings rates to get the money they need. But that would mean putting mortgage rates up, and have compelling reasons for keeping them down. an increase now could be the last straw for thousands of borrowers.

The increased hardship caused by water and power cuts appears to have been the last straw and provoked open rebellion.

Mr Elton was already distraught over his mother's death. The final straw came when his attractive wife asked for a divorce.

a man of straw    

a straw man

If you say that a man is a man of straw, you mean that he does not have the ability or the courage necessary to carry out a particular task or fulfil a particular role. This is a fairly formal expression, which is used mainly in British English.

The problem of the Labour Party supposedly radical party, and this is not a is that it is once again firmly in the grip of men of straw without guts and without principles.

You can also talk about straw men. This form of the expression is used in both British and American English, especially in journalism.

These also represent the reflex responses of straw men with straw policies.

the straw that breaks the camel's back

the last straw that breaks the camel's back

You can say that something is the straw that breaks the camel's back when it is the latest in a series of unpleasant or difficult events, and it makes you feel that you cannot tolerate a situation any longer. Compare the last straw.

Last week, I broke my wrist skateboarding. I'm a good skateboard rider and love the sport -- but that was the straw that broke the camel's back as far as my dad was concerned. He I'm cursed and has ordered me to stay away from anything that could get me into an accident.

In British English, you can also say that something is the last straw that breaks the camel's back.

He tried to reassure my father, but said all the wrong things: `I wouldn't worry about it. You've educated your daughter, she can work!' My father went berserk. This was the last straw that broke the camel's back. He ordered him out of the house.