To select the shortest straw or other object while drawing straws. / (idiomatic) To be selected to do an undesirable task (by drawing the shortest straw or otherwise).

the system for transmitting text messages on mobile phones

(Australia, New Zealand) A small cup or glass of espresso coffee.

(cricket) The act of a batsman, running between the wickets, failing to ground himself or his bat behind the popping crease before turning for another run; the umpire's signal indicating this (the run does not count).

(baseball) The infield defensive player that stands between the second baseman and the third baseman. / (figuratively) A nimble defender. / (gambling) A player who is short of money.

(informal) Something or someone that is shorter than normal. / (ice hockey, informal) A short-handed goal. / (African-American Vernacular) Alternative form of shorty (“child”)

(informal) Shorter than normal, especially of clothing.

(electrical engineering) A usually unintentional connection of low resistance or impedance in a circuit such that excessive and often damaging current flows in it.

(transitive) To cause a short circuit in. / (transitive, by extension) To force termination of an ongoing process before its natural conclusion, by bypassing one or more intermediary steps.

(chiefly Britain) A regime intended to deter crime by making an immediate severe impact.