feel hard done-by

feel hard done-by

To feel mistreated, abused, cheated, or dejected. The company paid Steve a generous severance package after firing him, but he still feels hard done-by. I don't think you have a right to feel hard done-by since you received the same level of assessment as everyone else! Yeah, I feel hard done-by—I worked hard for that promotion, and they just gave it to Alyssa, like it was nothing!

See also: feel, hard

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

be/feel hard ˈdone by

(informal) be/feel unfairly treated: I think you’ve been hard done by — you worked twice as long as anyone else.

See also: by, done, feel, hard

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017