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
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.
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 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

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 28 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!