short end of the stick

the short end of the stick

An unequal outcome of a deal that results in a disadvantage or burden. You have to stay calm during business negotiations or else you may end up getting the short end of the stick. I feel like I got the short end of the stick on this project, with the amount of extra time and effort I'll have to put into it.
See also: end, of, short, stick
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*short end of the stick

Fig. the smaller or less desirable part, rank, task, or amount. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~; end up with ~.) Why do I always get the short end of the stick? I want my fair share! She's unhappy because she has the short end of the stick again.
See also: end, of, short, stick
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

short end of the stick, to get/have the

To lose out; to get less than one is entitled to. Exactly what kind of stick is being referred to is no longer known, but possibly it is one used in fighting or in a tug-of-war, in which the person holding the longer end has the advantage. “He having gotten (as we say) the better end of the staffs, did wrest our wills at his pleasure,” wrote Thomas Jackson in 1626 (Commentaries upon the Apostles Creed). Around the turn of the twentieth century in America, “the short end” of anything came to mean the inferior part, and soon this was combined with “stick” to yield the current cliché. See also wrong end of the stick.
See also: end, get, have, of, short
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • short end of the stick, the
  • the short end of the stick
  • get the short end of the stick
  • load the dice
  • load the dice (against one)
  • load the dice against someone
  • put somebody/be at a disadvantage
  • be at a disadvantage
  • disadvantage
  • at a disadvantage
References in periodicals archive
He went on to say, "Some foreign powers want to use Lebanon as a lab to test potential solutions to regional issues and Lebanon always ends up with the short end of the stick."
Ibrahim warns refugee resettlement would lead to war
We may get the short end of the stick sometimes, but in the long run, we will prosper.
Choose wisely
Too often we extend our reach so far " to so many people " that, in the end, everyone is getting the short end of the stick. Years can go by with some loved ones and friends getting nothing more than a cursory like on Facebook.
5 Ways To Enhance Relationships
Still, the battle rages on, and in a manner that CFA Institute Managing Director Kurt Schacht just described as "a national disgrace with investors getting the short end of the stick." These are tough words that are on point considering the magnitude of the cynicism at play.
Debate on Fiduciary Is Over; Battle for 'Best Interest' Rages On
Anorthosis, who so far this season had been accused by other clubs and fans of getting the rub of the green, got the short end of the stick this time.
Referee blunders grab the headlines in Cyprus
"At the end of the day, we get the short end of the stick. We have the biggest bill and we get the short end of the stick.
Explosive ordnance disposal robot program at risk of collapse
Now rumour has it the naughty ones get the short end of the stick when it comes to Santa Harper[TM] doling out presents.
Harper's naughty list
Educators seem to be getting the short end of the stick as revealed earlier this week in a report by the Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) which has since been forwarded to the Minister and Permanent Secretary of Education following the union's regional trips during May and the first week of August.
Teachers getting raw deal
Meanwhile, top government officials in Delhi appear to be taking the Roadies atmosphere a little too seriously: those who were given the short end of the stick under the recent P government are hell- bent on ensuring Kejriwal loses, while those whom the BJP- led MCD pestered over civic issues like sanitation and roads are now leaning back towards the Congress.
Roadies could be theme of 2014 polls
But until politicians comprehend that teaching is a JOB, and a tough job at that, NOT a calling, then kids will continue to get the short end of the stick.2day until 5, lose our assistants, have our pensions cut and work longer for no increase in pay.
TOP COMMENT
This fun and fast read is a good combination of humor and mystery with slightly supernatural touches, and it will definitely keep readers on the edge of their seats waiting to see just why Jenna's family seems to be getting the short end of the stick.
BOOK PICKS
''We came up on the short end of the stick. It wasn't a good day.
Snatched away; Pats drive again late, but no miracle finish
"We seem to be getting the short end of the stick with decisions and we could have had a couple of penalty shouts as well."
Beckford puts bounce into Reebok again
Researchers in Spain now suggest that while the plants reap many rewards from this relationship, the ants may get the short end of the stick. They expend energy to carry the whole seed but can eat only a small part, gaining no nutritional advantage over other diets, the team reports May 14 in Ecological Entomology.
Say what?
"For so long they have received the short end of the stick."
Apple seals the deal with Sony Music; big three now signed up for expected iRadio