hard done by
Got the shaft
Hard done by means treated unfairly or harshly by circumstances or other people.
Someone who feels hard done by believes they've received less than they deserve or been dealt a bad hand: He's always acting hard done by, but he's had more advantages than most.
The phrase often carries a hint of self-pity or complaint.
- aggrievedFeeling unjustly wronged
- raw dealUnjust treatment received
- screwedSecured with threads
- resentfulFeeling lingering ill will
- unfortunateDeserving of pity
got the shaft · wronged · victimised · shafted · short end of the stick · put-upon · bitter · maltreated · underdog · indignant · crying foul · disgruntled · marginalization · exploitation · discontented · hardship · disappointment · helplessness