shaft

Intermediate 💼 Corporate / Business

Definition

To treat someone unfairly or to give them the short end of the stick—literally the opposite of what you'd want from a professional relationship. In corporate speak, getting 'the shaft' means being screwed over by management, typically with poor conditions, unfair treatment, or backstabbing tactics. It's the verb form of workplace betrayal.

Example Usage

After three years of 60-hour weeks, Derek got the shaft when they hired his replacement at half his salary.

Source: Common business vernacular

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