short-changing
Skimping on payment
Short-changing is giving someone less than they're owed.
The literal sense involves returning insufficient change in a transaction—whether by accident or as a scam.
The figurative sense dominates: The budget cuts are short-changing public schools.
To be short-changed is to be cheated or deprived of something deserved: I felt short-changed by the whole experience.
Deliberately understate cost
- underpayCompensate inadequately
- undercompensatePay below fair value
- stintFixed work period
- skimpEconomize excessively
nickel-and-dime · withhold · stiff · underbid · scrimp · shortfall · wage theft · undervalue
Deception for financial gain
- conArgument against
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- cheatAct dishonestly to win
rip off · bilk · fleece · defraud · gyp · hustle · grift · bamboozle
Unjust or biased treatment
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- wrongdoingUnethical or illegal action
- victimizationBeing made to suffer
- exploitationSelfish use of others
disadvantage · grievance · discrimination · disparity · mistreatment · disservice · marginalization · inequality
Refuse to give
- denyRefuse to admit
- depriveTo withhold or remove
- robSteal using intimidation
- cheat out ofObtain dishonestly from someone
stint · gyp · stiff · hold back · keep from · undersupply · underserve · ration
lowball
Deliberately understate cost
- underpayCompensate inadequately
- undercompensatePay below fair value
- stintFixed work period
skimp · nickel-and-dime · withhold · stiff · underbid · scrimp · shortfall · wage theft · undervalue · begrudge
swindle
Deception for financial gain
cheat · rip off · bilk · fleece · defraud · gyp · hustle · grift · bamboozle · hoodwink
unfairness
Unjust or biased treatment
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- wrongdoingUnethical or illegal action
- victimizationBeing made to suffer
exploitation · disadvantage · grievance · discrimination · disparity · mistreatment · disservice · marginalization · inequality · bias
withhold
Refuse to give
cheat out of · stint · gyp · stiff · hold back · keep from · undersupply · underserve · ration · begrudge
short-changingoverpaying
Spending beyond fair value
making whole · overcompensating · settling up · making good · reimbursing
short-changingoverpaying
Spending beyond fair value
overcompensating · topping up · rounding up · padding · oversupplying