give the shaft

give (one) the shaft

To exploit, cheat, or take advantage of one; to treat one unfairly. Whenever a promotion comes around, management always manages to give me the shaft. Because we live in a tiny, rural community, we feel like the government tends to give us the shaft. Why did the boss give me the shaft all of a sudden? I've been a loyal employee for 10 years!

See also: give, shaft

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

give someone the shaft

Sl. to cheat or deceive someone; to mistreat someone. (See also get the shaft.) The boss really gave Wally the shaft. Somebody always gives me the shaft.

See also: give, shaft

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.