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
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
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.
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 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share