the rough end of the pineapple

the rough end of the pineapple

A poor, unfair, or malicious treatment or situation. Primarily heard in Australia. Whenever the time comes for new assignments, I'm always getting the rough end of the pineapple. It's really no surprise that the CEO would give his employees the rough end of the pineapple to ensure his own salary isn't affected.
See also: end, of, rough
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the rough end of the pineapple

bad treatment. Australian & New Zealand informal
1981 Peter Barton Bastards I Have Known There was no way that I was going to get ‘the rough end of the pineapple’ from Wally, so I kept out of his way.
See also: end, of, rough
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the ˌrough end of the ˈpineapple

(AustralE, informal) a situation in which somebody is treated badly or unfairly: The team got the rough end of the pineapple when it came to decisions by the referee.
See also: end, of, rough
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • spooked
  • speak ill of
  • speak ill of (someone or something)
  • speak/think ill of somebody
  • sup with the devil
  • dine with the devil
  • make life difficult
  • make life difficult (for one)
  • make somebody's life a misery
  • make life a misery (for one)
References in periodicals archive
Sometimes it feels like we get the rough end of the pineapple here in Belfast at least when it comes to cutting-edge music events.
Culture TECH takes over Derry; ECLECTIC ARTS AND TECH FESTIVAL EVEN BETTER IN IT'S FOURTH YEAR
The Scotland coach said: 'In future we will be asking for as the Australians say not the rough end of the pineapple with the refereeing decisions.
Rugby union: ROTTEN REFSARE COSTINGUS GAMES; Matt demands fair deal for his struggling Scots
Will the bookies once more have the rough end of the pineapple inserted by exultant punters?
Racing: SQUEAL DEAL; Will these stars leave bookies in pain again?
eye-watering punt that showed the bookies exactly what it's like when the rough end of the pineapple is inserted.
`A place in the annals of the most famous of races renders you more significant than presidents or princes in a land where the horse is just as important as the human' Alastair Down watches democracy prevail yet again, as a small stable from the `wrong' side of the Irish Sea basks in National glory
Williams said: "In future we will be asking for - as the Australians say - not the rough end of the pineapple with the refereeing decisions.
Rugby Union: MATT: END REF JUSTICE; SIX NATIONS SPECIAL: SCOTLAND v FRANCE, 5 DAYS TO GO Williams calls on whistlers to shape up and start giving Scots a square deal
Or, indeed, count the sheer numbers of those prepared to brave a bitter December morning to throng the streets of London to celebrate the fact that England were the best in the world at something - and had shown the ghastly Aussies the rough end of the pineapple in the process.
Racing: SPEAK OUT, SIR ALEX; FERGIE CAN SAVE OUR FESTIVAL