Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
get-the-wooden-spoon
idiom
/ɡɛt ðə ˈwʊdən spuun/
Definition
To come in last place in a competition or to be the least successful in a given context.
Examples
- Despite his best efforts, he ended up getting the wooden spoon in the race.
- She joked that she would get the wooden spoon for her cooking skills.
- In the competition, they try hard to avoid getting the wooden spoon.
Meaning
The phrase ‘get the wooden spoon’ originates from the practice of awarding a wooden spoon to the competitor who finishes last, particularly in academic contexts like university rankings.
Synonyms
- come last
- finish last
- bring up the rear
- finish in the bottom position
