get the short end of the stick - English Spanish Translator Org: Translation Forum � Translators Forums

Veronica · 06-02-2009, 09:30 AM

Hi everyone!!

I was reading a horoscope and it said this:
They always try to do the right thing and sometimes get the short end of the stick.

What?? It's under my sign, so I'd like to know what it means to get the short end of the stick!
Reminds me of the game where a group of friends cut up sticks and one is shorter, so the one who gets the short sticks gets to be the goalkeeper. Is it like that??

Gigi · 06-02-2009, 09:43 AM

Getting the short end of a stick usually has a negative meaning. It is often said to the people that end up doing something other people don't want to do. I think in your case it might also mean it isn�t always appreciated.

analaura · 06-02-2009, 09:46 AM

Hi Vero

It means to suffer the bad effects of a situation. To receive less than due. It isoften used when speaking about being cheated by someone.

I found these examples:
The people who get the short end of the stick are those whose income is just too high to qualify for help from the government.

Jack really got the short end of the stick in the divorce proceedings. She thinks she got the short end of the stick.

I hope it helps in your context

hugocar · 06-02-2009, 12:07 PM

Tomar el r�bano por las hojas:
andar totalmente despistado, entender todo al rev�s; Sin�nimos: be grabbing the wrong end of the stick, bark up the wrong ...
No pegar ni una.
Salir siempre perdedor.

Veronica · 06-02-2009, 12:19 PM

Gracias a todos!!!

Mejor que me fije en no salir perdiendo de aquí en más!!! (era para los de piscis

)

vicente · 06-02-2009, 02:09 PM

Hi Veronica

Gigi and Analaura have the right idea. Getting the short end of the stick simply means getting less than fair or equal treatment...synonomous with other phrase like: "an unfair deal", "getting screwed"; "getting short changed", "getting a raw deal", "getting the worst of it", and numerous others.

It is a common term.

In your horoscope

"They always try to do the right thing and sometimes get the short end of the stick."

means that "they" are sometimes unappreciated no matter that they try hard all the time.

06-02-2009, 09:30 AM	#1
Veronica Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Argentina Posts: 811 Rep Power: 297	get the short end of the stick Hi everyone!! I was reading a horoscope and it said this: They always try to do the right thing and sometimes get the short end of the stick. What?? It's under my sign, so I'd like to know what it means to get the short end of the stick! Reminds me of the game where a group of friends cut up sticks and one is shorter, so the one who gets the short sticks gets to be the goalkeeper. Is it like that?? __________________ mmm...papas fritas.

06-02-2009, 09:43 AM	#2
Gigi New Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: USA Posts: 7 Rep Power: 9	Re: get the short end of the stick Getting the short end of a stick usually has a negative meaning. It is often said to the people that end up doing something other people don't want to do. I think in your case it might also mean it isn�t always appreciated.

06-02-2009, 09:46 AM	#3
analaura Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 626 Rep Power: 304	Re: get the short end of the stick Hi Vero It means to suffer the bad effects of a situation. To receive less than due. It isoften used when speaking about being cheated by someone. I found these examples: The people who get the short end of the stick are those whose income is just too high to qualify for help from the government. Jack really got the short end of the stick in the divorce proceedings. She thinks she got the short end of the stick. I hope it helps in your context

06-02-2009, 12:07 PM	#4
hugocar Contributing User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Caracas Posts: 137 Rep Power: 281	Re: get the short end of the stick Tomar el r�bano por las hojas: andar totalmente despistado, entender todo al rev�s; Sin�nimos: be grabbing the wrong end of the stick, bark up the wrong ... No pegar ni una. Salir siempre perdedor.

06-02-2009, 12:19 PM	#5
Veronica Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Argentina Posts: 811 Rep Power: 297	Re: get the short end of the stick Gracias a todos!!! Mejor que me fije en no salir perdiendo de aquí en más!!! (era para los de piscis ) __________________ mmm...papas fritas.

06-02-2009, 02:09 PM	#6
vicente Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 598 Rep Power: 1079	Re: get the short end of the stick Hi Veronica Gigi and Analaura have the right idea. Getting the short end of the stick simply means getting less than fair or equal treatment...synonomous with other phrase like: "an unfair deal", "getting screwed"; "getting short changed", "getting a raw deal", "getting the worst of it", and numerous others. It is a common term. In your horoscope "They always try to do the right thing and sometimes get the short end of the stick." means that "they" are sometimes unappreciated no matter that they try hard all the time. __________________ vicente Last edited by vicente : 06-02-2009 at 02:49 PM.

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