the 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, the

The inferior part, the worse side of an unequal deal. For example, Helen got the short end of the stick when she was assigned another week of night duty. The precise analogy in this term, first recorded in the 1930s, has been lost. Some believe it comes from worse end of the staff, used since the early 1500s, which in the mid-1800s became, in some instances, short or shitty end of the stick, allegedly from a stick poked up one's rectum by another in command of the situation. Others believe it alludes to fighting with sticks, where having a shorter stick is a disadvantage. Also see wrong end of the stick.
See also: end, of, short
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the short end of the stick

the disadvantage in a situation; a bad deal.
1994 Hispanic Latinas are getting the ‘short end of the stick’ when it comes to equality in the business world and seeking financing for their businesses.
See also: end, of, short, stick
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the short end of the stick

n. the burden, responsibility, etc., for doing something. I am the one who plans all this stuff, and when you jerks drop the ball, I’m left holding the short end of the stick.
See also: end, of, short, stick
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

the short end of the stick

The worst side of an unequal deal.
See also: end, of, short, stick
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • short end of the stick
  • short end of the stick, the
  • 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
"They put Chicago's Finest in here, and we're getting the short end of the stick."
Lack of force: the Chicago Housing Authority pays the Chicago Police Department $12 million a year for extra police services, but public housing residents say that they're not getting their money's worth
Unlike past Democratic hopefuls, Kerry more pointedly distinguishes who he thinks the bad guys are: not corporations or the rich per se, but "lobbyists," "the privileged," and others who "cut corners and break laws and get special benefits, while those who do what's right get the short end of the stick." This terminological difference is very good news for anyone who wishes the senator well in November.
Vision quest: how John Kerry can create jobs by taking on K Street
I DO not wish to enter the political arena but most readers will perhaps agree with me that Clare should get the Short end of the stick immediately and Ian McCartney,MP for Ashton-in-Makerfield, the diminutive Glaswegian Labour Party Chairman, who claims to have been anti-racist all his life, needs a mouthwash.
House is jewel in the crown
If, after several attempts to collect payment, business owners still find themselves holding the short end of the stick, there are a few more direct -- albeit less desirable -- options to explore.
Collecting with kindness: debt collection is a common weakness for most small business. With the right combination of sugar and spice, it doesn't have to be
But we continue to get the short end of the stick from the federal government."
DeStefano launches first responder funding campaign
John Rampanen is a young family man who has had the courage to stand up for the rights of his people in a country where even government officials will admit (when the tape's not running) that Native people have been getting the short end of the stick for more than 130 years.
Equal under the law? Not even. (Editorial)
With all of the focus on reading literacy these days, Rosenthal says, "math literacy has sort of gotten the short end of the stick. Having a good, strong foundation in math is critical [in daily life]....
Celebrating math. (Curriculum update: the latest developments in math, science, language arts and social studies)
Canada has gotten the short end of the stick on many of the Chapter 11 cases and is no longer confident in the agreement.
NAFTA threatens California government
The fact is, there is a major trade imbalance between the black consumer market and mainstream American business, with African Americans getting the short end of the stick. With hip-hop culture as only the latest example, we continue to set the trends and drive consumer tastes in American music, film and fashion, among other areas.
It's just the beginning. (Publisher's Page)
It doesn't take long for us to figure out that whatever is to be gotten out of life, we're always the last to get ours, that the short end of the stick has our name written all over it.
For Brothers Only
As limited capital resources are divided, casting cleaning and finishing operations generally have been on the short end of the stick. Despite the availability of up-to-date material handling systems, effective process flow methods and new equipment technologies, the advancement of the cleaning room has lagged behind other areas.
Considerations for a More Efficient Cleaning Operation
But, says Terry, those homosexuals who sought the help of science and medicine got "the short end of the stick" (p18).
An American Obsession: Science, Medicine and Homosexuality in Modern Society
The kind of business that uses conventional means of marketing its merchandise would be left holding the short end of the stick if tax authorities failed to impose a good portion of taxes on profits gained by other sorts of companies selling through e-commerce.
Japanese editorial excerpts+
"With facilities now looking to get reimbursement any way they can, activities and quality of life are getting the short end of the stick," cautions certified activity consultant Catherine R.
Is rehab killing recreation?
companies often get stuck with the short end of the stick in international partnerships?
Strategic partnering