get a raw deal

To receive unfair or poor treatment in a particular situation. Mandy really got a raw deal at that job. They passed her over for so many promotions!

COMMON If you get a raw deal, you have been treated unfairly or badly. We must ask why bank customers get such a raw deal. Note: Verbs such as have and receive can be used instead of get. Until quite recently, large ladies had a raw deal. We designed old-fashioned clothes for them. It is not only teaching staff who receive a raw deal in terms of pay and conditions. Note: You can also say that you give someone a raw deal. I have seen numerous cases where the foreign-born minority were given a raw deal and were treated as second-class or third-class citizens. Note: This may refer to someone being dealt a bad hand in a game of cards.