Significado
To be the winner of a situation.
Contexto cultural
In Swedish sports culture, this phrase is used to show respect to the opponent. It implies the match was close and could have gone either way, which is a very 'Swedish' way to be a humble winner. In negotiations, using this phrase suggests that the outcome was reached through a fair process, even if it was competitive. The phrase reflects Sweden's agricultural history where drawing straws was a common, fair way to divide work or goods in a community. Swedish headlines love this idiom because it is punchy and fits well in limited space to describe any kind of victory.
Use it in Sports
If you want to sound like a native Swedish sports fan, use this phrase instead of just saying 'de vann'. It shows you understand the nuance of a close game.
Check the Tense
Remember that 'dra' is an irregular verb. Don't say 'drade'—the past tense is 'drog'.
Significado
To be the winner of a situation.
Use it in Sports
If you want to sound like a native Swedish sports fan, use this phrase instead of just saying 'de vann'. It shows you understand the nuance of a close game.
Check the Tense
Remember that 'dra' is an irregular verb. Don't say 'drade'—the past tense is 'drog'.
The Humble Winner
Using this phrase makes you sound humble because it implies the win was a result of a process, not just your own greatness.
Ponte a prueba
Fyll i rätt form av verbet 'dra'.
Igår var det en spännande match, och till slut ___ vi det längsta strået.
Since the sentence starts with 'Igår' (yesterday), we need the past tense (preteritum) of 'dra', which is 'drog'.
Vilket uttryck passar bäst i situationen?
Två företag tävlade om ett kontrakt. Företag A fick kontraktet. Vad kan vi säga om Företag A?
Winning a contract in a competition is the perfect context for 'dra det längsta strået'.
Matcha situationen med rätt idiom.
Du förlorade en tennismatch mot din vän.
If you lost, your friend is the one who 'drew the longest straw'.
Slutför dialogen.
A: Vem vann budgivningen på lägenheten? B: Det var ett par från Stockholm som ___.
Winning a bidding war is a classic use of this idiom.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
The Two Straw Idioms
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIgår var det en spännande match, och till slut ___ vi det längsta strået.
Since the sentence starts with 'Igår' (yesterday), we need the past tense (preteritum) of 'dra', which is 'drog'.
Två företag tävlade om ett kontrakt. Företag A fick kontraktet. Vad kan vi säga om Företag A?
Winning a contract in a competition is the perfect context for 'dra det längsta strået'.
Du förlorade en tennismatch mot din vän.
If you lost, your friend is the one who 'drew the longest straw'.
A: Vem vann budgivningen på lägenheten? B: Det var ett par från Stockholm som ___.
Winning a bidding war is a classic use of this idiom.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNot really. It's better to use 'vinna på lotto'. This idiom implies a competition between people or teams.
It's neutral. You can use it with friends, but you'll also see it in serious newspapers like Dagens Nyheter.
'Vinna' is the direct verb for winning. 'Dra det längsta strået' is more descriptive and is usually used for close, competitive situations.
No, 'strå' is the specific word used in this idiom. 'Gräs' (grass) would not be understood as the idiom.
Yes, for winning. If you use 'det kortaste' (the shortest), it means you lost.
Yes, the definite article 'det' is required for the idiom to be grammatically correct.
Yes! 'Vi bråkade om disken, men jag drog det längsta strået så han fick diska.'
Yes, it is a standard idiom used throughout the country.
It's 'stroh-et'. The 'å' is like the 'o' in 'more'.
It might be a bit too informal for a cover letter, but it's fine to use during a job interview when talking about past successes.
Frases relacionadas
dra det kortaste strået
contrastTo lose or be the unlucky one.
dra sitt strå till stacken
similarTo contribute one's part to a common goal.
gå segrande ur striden
synonymTo emerge victorious from the battle.
få sista ordet
builds onTo have the last word (win an argument).
