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the short end of the stick

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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

the short end of the stick

The worst side of an unequal deal.

See also: end, of, short, stick