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
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, 29 Mar. 2024
At the end of the day, the fans have the short end of the stick.
—Calie Schepp, EW.com, 25 Sep. 2023
The results, published in Science, show a domino effect that leaves lions with the short end of the stick.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024
With the federal minimum wage being $7.25 per hour, and the cost of living and inflation being at all-time highs, hospitality workers who don’t get tipped really get the short end of the stick.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 19 Oct. 2023
This sets the stage for the month’s eclipses, both of which might hinge on the theme of someone getting the short end of the stick.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2023
Black musicians have long received the short end of the stick in the industry, in everything from receiving lackluster contracts and struggling for radio play to being shut out of prestigious accolades.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 21 Sep. 2023
Others said yet again, women are getting the short end of the stick.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2023
Michael Philippou: Man, Otis got the short end of the stick, for sure.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Aug. 2023
Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2024
At the end of the day, the fans have the short end of the stick.
—Calie Schepp, EW.com, 25 Sep. 2023
The results, published in Science, show a domino effect that leaves lions with the short end of the stick.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024
With the federal minimum wage being $7.25 per hour, and the cost of living and inflation being at all-time highs, hospitality workers who don’t get tipped really get the short end of the stick.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 19 Oct. 2023
This sets the stage for the month’s eclipses, both of which might hinge on the theme of someone getting the short end of the stick.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2023
Black musicians have long received the short end of the stick in the industry, in everything from receiving lackluster contracts and struggling for radio play to being shut out of prestigious accolades.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 21 Sep. 2023
Others said yet again, women are getting the short end of the stick.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2023
Michael Philippou: Man, Otis got the short end of the stick, for sure.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the short end of the stick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near the short end of the stick
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 25 Apr. 2024.
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