short stick

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   The worse share or position in a situation, so that you are treated unfairly or receive less than others.

   Grammar: Used with get or draw: she got the short stick.

   Patterns

   • get the short stick
   • draw the short stick

   Once again, the new hire got the short stick and had to work the weekend.

   I drew the short stick, so I had to clean up after the party.

   Smaller schools often get the short stick when funding is shared out.

2. 2nouncountable

   A literal shorter stick or straw chosen in a draw, which means a person must do an unwanted task.

   Grammar: Countable: draw the short stick.

   Patterns

   • draw the short stick

   They drew sticks, and Ben picked the short stick.

   Whoever draws the short stick will cook dinner.

Word forms

Common combinations

get the short stick

As usual, I got the short stick.

draw the short stick

He drew the short stick and had to go first.

end up with the short stick

The youngest child ended up with the short stick.

always the short stick

For him it was always the short stick.

pick the short stick

No one wanted to pick the short stick.

Synonyms and how they differ

short straw

Short straw is the more common British version of the same idiom, usually used with draw.

raw deal

Raw deal means unfair treatment overall, while short stick often follows a chance draw.

bad luck

Bad luck is general misfortune, whereas short stick suggests an unfair share.

short end of the stick

Short end of the stick is the full idiom and is the most common form.

Opposites

Word family

short adjective

not long

stick noun

a thin piece of wood

shortchange verb

to cheat someone out of what they deserve

Commonly confused: short stick or short end of the stick?

Practice

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