Translation guide
To be in a disadvantageous position or receive an unfair outcome, often compared to others.
Expressing that someone got a worse deal or outcome than others in a situation.
A common idiom meaning to get the short end of the stick, to be at a disadvantage, or to suffer a loss in a deal or situation.
A straightforward way to say 'to lose out' or 'to be at a loss'. Less idiomatic than 割を食う but very common.
彼だけが損をした。
Only he got the short end of the stick.
Literally 'to be put in a disadvantageous position'. More formal and descriptive.
彼はいつも不利な立場に立たされる。
He is always put at a disadvantage.
Literally 'to draw the poverty lot'. A colloquial idiom meaning to get the worst of it or the short end of the stick. Slightly old-fashioned.
また私が貧乏くじを引いた。
I got the short end of the stick again.
When someone is treated unfairly compared to others in a group, often in work or social settings.
Means that the negative effects or burdens are pushed onto someone. Often used when a weak person or group bears the brunt of a problem.
リストラのしわ寄せはいつも下の者に行く。
The short end of the stick from restructuring always goes to the lower-level employees.
Do not translate 'stick' literally. The English idiom has no direct equivalent involving a stick in Japanese. Use the phrases above instead.
割を食う implies a comparison with others who got a better deal, while 損をする simply means to lose out, not necessarily in comparison. Use 割を食う when the unfairness relative to others is key.
彼はいつも割を食っている。
He always gets the short end of the stick.
今回の取引で、うちの会社が割を食った。
In this deal, our company got the short end of the stick.
Also works here, emphasizing the disadvantageous outcome.
真面目な人ほど割を食う。
The more serious you are, the more you get the short end of the stick.