straw
straw /str'ɔː/ (straws)
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Straw consists of the dried, yellowish stalks from crops such as wheat or barley.
The barn was full of bales of straw...
...a wide-brimmed straw hat.
2 [N-COUNT]
A straw is a thin tube of paper or plastic, which you use to suck a drink into your mouth.
...a bottle of lemonade with a straw in it.
3 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you are clutching at straws or grasping at straws, you are trying unusual or extreme ideas or methods because other ideas or methods have failed.
...a badly thought-out scheme from a Government clutching at straws.
4 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
If an event is the last straw or the straw that broke the camel's back, it is the latest in a series of unpleasant or undesirable events, and makes you feel that you cannot tolerate a situation any longer.
For him the Church's decision to allow the ordination of women had been the last straw...
5 [PHRASE] usu v PHR
If you draw the short straw, you are chosen from a number of people to perform a job or duty that you will not enjoy.
...if a few of your guests have drawn the short straw and agreed to drive others home after your summer barbecue.straw poll (straw polls)
[N-COUNT]
A straw poll is the unofficial questioning of a group of people to find out their opinion about something.
A straw poll conducted at the end of the meeting found most people agreed with Mr Forth...
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Straw consists of the dried, yellowish stalks from crops such as wheat or barley.
The barn was full of bales of straw...
...a wide-brimmed straw hat.
2 [N-COUNT]
A straw is a thin tube of paper or plastic, which you use to suck a drink into your mouth.
...a bottle of lemonade with a straw in it.
3 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you are clutching at straws or grasping at straws, you are trying unusual or extreme ideas or methods because other ideas or methods have failed.
...a badly thought-out scheme from a Government clutching at straws.
4 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
If an event is the last straw or the straw that broke the camel's back, it is the latest in a series of unpleasant or undesirable events, and makes you feel that you cannot tolerate a situation any longer.
For him the Church's decision to allow the ordination of women had been the last straw...
5 [PHRASE] usu v PHR
If you draw the short straw, you are chosen from a number of people to perform a job or duty that you will not enjoy.
...if a few of your guests have drawn the short straw and agreed to drive others home after your summer barbecue.straw poll (straw polls)
[N-COUNT]
A straw poll is the unofficial questioning of a group of people to find out their opinion about something.
A straw poll conducted at the end of the meeting found most people agreed with Mr Forth...