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
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
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
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
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
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 13 Sep. 2024.
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