get the short end of the stick—(also: get the dirty end of the stick) have the disadvantage in a bargain, contest, etc.:
- Francine always gets the short end of the stick when it comes to school plays.
Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase draw the short straw—be chosen to perform a task that nobody wants to do:
- Brenner drained his glass with a sense of relief, thankful that it was someone else who had drawn the short straw.
get the wrong end of the stick—(also: get hold of the wrong end of the stick) completely misunderstand smth.:
- I said how nice he was and Julie got the wrong end of the stick and thought I wanted to go out with him.