la part du pauvre
The English phrase "short end of the stick" can be expressed in French as la part du pauvre.
This phrase is used to describe receiving the worst part of a deal or being placed in a disadvantageous position in a situation.
Which one should you use?
While the English idiom relies on a metaphor involving a stick, the French equivalent uses a metaphor involving social class to denote an unfair or disadvantageous outcome.
Did you know?
- The word pauvre shares a common ancestor with the English word 'few', stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root *peh₂w- which meant 'small' or 'little'.
- The phrase la part du pauvre can be used metaphorically in contexts that have nothing to do with actual poverty or money, such as a bad technological glitch or an unlucky coincidence.
- The word part is a homonym in French, as it can mean 'a portion' or be a form of the verb partir, meaning 'to leave'.
Examples in context
- Malheureusement, notre entreprise a été désavantagée lors de ces négociations.Unfortunately, our company was put at a disadvantage during these negotiations.
- Les employés ont été lésés par cette décision de réduction des salaires.The employees were harmed by this decision to reduce salaries.
- Encore une fois, j'ai tiré le mauvais numéro et je dois travailler ce week-end.Once again, I drew the short end of the stick and have to work this weekend.
- Dans cette répartition des tâches, je suis mal loti(e) avec les corvées ménagères.In this division of tasks, I got the short end of the stick with household chores.
- J'ai vraiment eu le mauvais bout du bâton avec ma dernière voiture d'occasion.I really got the short end of the stick with my last used car.
- Il a toujours la part du pauvre avec ses collègues.He always gets the short end of the stick with his colleagues.
- On a l'impression d'avoir la part du pauvre ici.We feel like we're getting the short end of the stick here.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are dividing household chores.
- LéaJe fais la cuisine et tu nettoies tout.I'll do the cooking and you clean everything.
- HugoQuoi ? J'ai la part du pauvre !What? I got the short end of the stick!
- LéaC'est juste pour aujourd'hui, Hugo.It's just for today, Hugo.
- HugoOn change les rôles demain, Léa.We switch roles tomorrow, Léa.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, la, part, pauvre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
