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
All of the characters will have plenty to contend with in the impending fourth season, perhaps most of all Radia’s Rishi, who certainly draws the short end of the stick, so to speak, with his violent and traumatic final moments in Season 3.
—
Katie Campione, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024
Democrats find themselves on the short end of the stick.
—Fox News, 29 Nov. 2024
Pineda and Elkins battled in the best fight on the UFC Vegas 99 card at the Apex Arena in Las Vegas, but the former came out on the short end of the stick.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
We’re used to getting the short end of the stick in the Middle East.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024
As the third- and fourth-largest cable providers, respectively, DirecTV and Dish got the short end of the stick every 3-5 years when carriage deals came up for renewal.
—Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2024
Time after time, American workers got the short end of the stick.
—Elizabeth Warren, Foreign Affairs, 29 Nov. 2018
Boost Your Games For Less By Jon Martindale Contributor
With Reigns potentially taking the short end of the stick for another week or so, an ally or two is likely on the way.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024
As Board Special Committee Signs Off Skydance had to sweeten its deal offer in hopes of ensuring more value for non-voting Paramount shareholders who had complained that initial deal offers had guaranteed Redstone a premium but would have diluted them, giving them the short end of the stick.
—Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 July 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Katie Campione, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024
Democrats find themselves on the short end of the stick.
—Fox News, 29 Nov. 2024
Pineda and Elkins battled in the best fight on the UFC Vegas 99 card at the Apex Arena in Las Vegas, but the former came out on the short end of the stick.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
We’re used to getting the short end of the stick in the Middle East.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024
As the third- and fourth-largest cable providers, respectively, DirecTV and Dish got the short end of the stick every 3-5 years when carriage deals came up for renewal.
—Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2024
Time after time, American workers got the short end of the stick.
—Elizabeth Warren, Foreign Affairs, 29 Nov. 2018
Boost Your Games For Less By Jon Martindale Contributor
With Reigns potentially taking the short end of the stick for another week or so, an ally or two is likely on the way.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024
As Board Special Committee Signs Off Skydance had to sweeten its deal offer in hopes of ensuring more value for non-voting Paramount shareholders who had complained that initial deal offers had guaranteed Redstone a premium but would have diluted them, giving them the short end of the stick.
—Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 July 2024
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 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share