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
Which leaves me wondering, Why did mental illness get the short end of the stick?
—
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2025
Warriors not happy with Steph-related officiating More Curry: Warriors guard passes Rick Barry, Reggie Miller
Draymond Green wasn’t the only Warrior who the team believed got the short end of the stick on Sunday night.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 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, 2 Apr. 2025
Female entrepreneurs are usually offered smaller loans at higher interest rates and generally get the short end of the stick in terms of financing.
—Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 31 Mar. 2025
Hadwin got the short end of the stick because the track finally decided to bite back, and someone happened to have a camera there to film the whole ordeal.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
These industry leaders say that agencies are getting the short end of the stick, given their investments in their talents.
—Chad De Guzman, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
So managing mom’s transition falls to Joel, who’s used to getting the short end of the stick.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025
Sisley Paris Sensitive Skin Soothing Care Sensitive skin can sometimes get the short end of the stick with gentle skincare products, but this one goes easy on delicate complexions while still delivering plenty of potent ingredients.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
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Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2025
Warriors not happy with Steph-related officiating More Curry: Warriors guard passes Rick Barry, Reggie Miller
Draymond Green wasn’t the only Warrior who the team believed got the short end of the stick on Sunday night.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 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, 2 Apr. 2025
Female entrepreneurs are usually offered smaller loans at higher interest rates and generally get the short end of the stick in terms of financing.
—Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 31 Mar. 2025
Hadwin got the short end of the stick because the track finally decided to bite back, and someone happened to have a camera there to film the whole ordeal.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
These industry leaders say that agencies are getting the short end of the stick, given their investments in their talents.
—Chad De Guzman, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
So managing mom’s transition falls to Joel, who’s used to getting the short end of the stick.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025
Sisley Paris Sensitive Skin Soothing Care Sensitive skin can sometimes get the short end of the stick with gentle skincare products, but this one goes easy on delicate complexions while still delivering plenty of potent ingredients.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 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 2 May. 2025.
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