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
For the first time since the first S6, there was a powertrain difference between what European buyers and other customers had; unlike in the early ‘90s, however, this time Continental buyers got the short end of the stick.
—
Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 24 June 2025
Overall, this was the rare Grant Park evening where the 21st century work got the short end of the stick.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Even in 2009, Barcelona got the short end of the stick trading Samuel Eto’o to Inter for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Through it all, Asia is getting the short end of the stick.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Someone else who gets the short end of the stick is Kenza.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 15 May 2025
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
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Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 24 June 2025
Overall, this was the rare Grant Park evening where the 21st century work got the short end of the stick.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Even in 2009, Barcelona got the short end of the stick trading Samuel Eto’o to Inter for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Through it all, Asia is getting the short end of the stick.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Someone else who gets the short end of the stick is Kenza.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 15 May 2025
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
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 16 Jul. 2025.
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