A raw deal

Meaning

The idiom "a raw deal" means to get an unfair or unjust treatment. It implies that someone has been treated badly or cheated by someone else, often without any recourse for compensation or justice. The phrase can also refer to a situation where the terms of an agreement are unfavorable or disadvantageous.

Usage

• I feel like I'm getting a raw deal from my boss. He expects me to do more than my colleagues, but he never gives me any recognition or raises.
• When we signed the contract, we didn't realize that we were getting a raw deal on the terms of payment. We ended up having to pay more than we expected.
• I can't believe I got stuck with this flight ticket. The airline canceled my flight and gave me a raw deal when they rescheduled me at 5 am.
• My friend was dealt a raw hand in life. She lost her job, broke up with her partner, and had to move back home with her family.
• I feel like we're getting a raw deal from this government. They keep cutting funding for education, healthcare, and other essential services while giving tax breaks to the wealthy. The usage of "a raw deal" can vary depending on the context. For example, it can be used in a personal or professional setting to express frustration or disappointment with an unfair treatment or unjust situation. It can also be used more broadly to refer to a societal issue or a political stance that favors one group over another.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "a raw deal" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the 18th century when meat was often sold by weight. If a buyer received a piece of meat that was smaller or had fewer good cuts than expected, they would be getting a "raw deal." Over time, the idiom evolved to mean any unfair or unjust treatment. The meaning and usage of the idiom have remained relatively consistent over time, but it has become more commonly used in contemporary language. It is now often used to express frustration with systemic injustice or to criticize political policies that favor certain groups at the expense of others.

Synonyms in English

• Unfair treatment
• Unjust situation
• Unbalanced agreement
• Unequal treatment
• Disadvantageous terms

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish - Tratamiento desfavorable
• French - Traité désavantageux
• German - Unfürdiger Behandlung
• Italian - Trattamento sbagliato
• Japanese - unfair treatment (一対奴手的な扱い)

Similar Idioms

• add fuel to the flames

• castles in the air

• a house divided against itself cannot stand