the short end of the stick
noun phrase
chiefly US, informal
: unfair or unfavorable treatment
She got the short end of the stick in the deal.
Examples of the short end of the stick in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bermuda will get the short end of the stick from this shift in Imelda’s track and faces a rare one-two punch.
—
Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
If anything, Blaine’s saccharine monologue that precedes the kiss kind of serves as cosmic justice for Kurt, who really gets the short end of the stick in season two, to say the least.
—James Factora, Them., 26 Sep. 2025
But the public is getting the short end of the stick.
—Eric Markowitz, Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
Gen Z undoubtedly got the short end of the stick when leaving college and trying to land a job.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Maybe Howard will get the short end of the stick?
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Regardless, Kuminga will be getting the short end of the stick.
—Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Plus, given the show’s history with racial bias — and this season’s edits — their Black singles and other contestants of color have gotten the short end of the stick.
—Taryn Finley, Refinery29, 15 July 2025
Before using the brand-new Bissell Little Green Mini, the carpets and upholstery in my home inevitably got the short end of the stick.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 9 July 2025
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Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
If anything, Blaine’s saccharine monologue that precedes the kiss kind of serves as cosmic justice for Kurt, who really gets the short end of the stick in season two, to say the least.
—James Factora, Them., 26 Sep. 2025
But the public is getting the short end of the stick.
—Eric Markowitz, Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
Gen Z undoubtedly got the short end of the stick when leaving college and trying to land a job.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Maybe Howard will get the short end of the stick?
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Regardless, Kuminga will be getting the short end of the stick.
—Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Plus, given the show’s history with racial bias — and this season’s edits — their Black singles and other contestants of color have gotten the short end of the stick.
—Taryn Finley, Refinery29, 15 July 2025
Before using the brand-new Bissell Little Green Mini, the carpets and upholstery in my home inevitably got the short end of the stick.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“The short end of the stick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20short%20end%20of%20the%20stick. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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