💸 Get Stiffed, To
Get stiffed - To be cheated, often financially. This slangy twentieth-century expression likely originated among waiters who said it meant getting too small a tip or no tip at all. It was soon extended to other kinds of low or nonpayment, as in “I won’t work for this magazine any more; I always end up getting stiffed.”
Synonyms
- Cheated
- Shortchanged
- Swindled
- Duped
- Scammed
Antonyms
- Reimbursed
- Compensated
- Rewarded
- Paid fairly
- Honored
Related Idioms and Expressions
- Short end of the stick: Being at a disadvantage or receiving the least favorable outcome.
- Out in the cold: Left out or neglected.
- Sold a bill of goods: Deceived or tricked into believing something false.
- Taken for a ride: Deceived or cheated, especially financially.
Proverbs and Common Phrases
- “You can’t get blood from a turnip.” - You can’t extract value from someone or something that has none.
- “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” - If someone influences you once, it’s their fault; if they do it again, it’s yours.
Humorous Quotes
- “A fool and his money are soon parted, and I’d like to know who struck the good bargain.” - Aesop
- “Money isn’t everything, but it’s a long way ahead of what comes next.” - Edmund Stockton
Literary References
- Books: “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger - A story filled with characters constantly feeling ‘stiffed’ by society.
- Poetry: “If” by Rudyard Kipling - Contains advice about resilience which can be useful after getting stiffed.
- Songs: “Take the Money and Run” by Steve Miller Band - Classic rock track about two vigilantes who refuse to get stiffed.
- Movies: “Office Space” - A comedy about employees who are consistently taken advantage of.
🌟 Inspirational Thought: “Life may sometimes stiff you, but remember, every lesson it teaches beefs up your resilience. Keep pushing forward, and soon you’ll tip the balance back in your favor.”
### Which one of these expressions means to get cheated?
- [x] Get stiffed
- [ ] Break a leg
- [ ] On cloud nine
- [ ] Sitting on the fence
> **Explanation:** "Get stiffed" means to be cheated, often financially. The others have entirely different meanings.
### Which action best represents being 'stiffed'?
- [ ] Receiving an award
- [ ] Getting a promotion
- [x] Being underpaid
- [ ] Gaining recognition
> **Explanation:** Being underpaid captures the essence of 'getting stiffed', often leaving one feeling shortchanged or cheated.
### True or False: To 'get stiffed' can only apply to monetary situations.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** While it often refers to financial situations, 'getting stiffed' can extend to other forms of low or nonpayment, or even metaphorically to mean being cheated in various contexts.
