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!

See also: feel, hard

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