PhrasesHub

Short shrift

    Definitions

      • to give little or no attention or consideration to something
        to dismiss or ignore something quickly or without much thought

      • to deal quickly and harshly with someone or something
        to treat someone or something with little sympathy or mercy

    Examples of Short shrift

    • The convicted criminal received short shrift from the judge during his sentencing hearing.

      In this example, "short shrift" is being used as a figure of speech to describe the speed and harshness with which the criminal was sentenced by the judge. "Short shrift" refers to being given little or no consideration or mercy. In this instance, the criminal did not receive a long, drawn-out trial or a lenient penalty, but instead was sentenced promptly and severely.

    • The customer at the restaurant demanded short shrift from the waiter, impatiently tapping his foot and glancing at his watch as his order was prepared.

      In this example, "short shrift" is being used to describe the customer's unwillingness to wait for his order to be prepared or served. He wants the process to be quick and efficient, without any unnecessary delays or attention-grabbing gestures from the waiter.

    • The teacher gave short shrift to the student's excuse, briskly dismissing his plea for extra time to complete an assignment.

      In this example, "short shrift" is being used to describe the teacher's curt and dismissive response to the student's excuse. She didn't spend much time considering the student's plea, but instead quickly rejected it and moved on to other matters.

    • The author's arguments were given short shrift by the academic journal, which rejected his paper without providing any detailed critique or feedback.

      In this example, "short shrift" is being used to describe the journal's unsympathetic and impersonal response to the author's submission. They didn't provide detailed feedback or a thorough examination of his arguments, but instead simply rejected his paper without explanation or elaboration.

    • The judge gave the defendant short shrift during the trial, quickly delivering a guilty verdict without hearing all the evidence.

      Short shrift is an idiom that means to treat someone unfairly or dismissively. In this example, the judge didn't take enough time to consider all the evidence and rushed to deliver a guilty verdict, showing short shrift to the defendant.

    • The customer's complaint was given short shrift by the customer service representative, who seemed more interested in ending the conversation than resolving the issue.

      Here, short shrift is being used to describe the way the customer's complaint was dismissed quickly and without proper attention, leaving the customer feeling unsatisfied with the outcome.

    • The boss gave short shrift to the employee's request for a raise, dismissing it as unrealistic and impractical.

      Again, short shrift refers to the dismissive and unfair way the boss handled the employee's request, showing little regard for the employee's needs or perspective.

    • The government's response to the crisis was criticized for giving short shrift to the affected communities, failing to provide adequate resources or support.

      Short shrift is used here to describe the government's inadequate response to the crisis, implying that the affected communities were poorly served and neglected.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "short shrift" is often used to convey the idea of giving little attention or consideration to something, or to deal with someone or something quickly and harshly. It can be used to dismiss or ignore something without much thought, or to treat someone or something with little sympathy or mercy.

    The phrase is commonly used in a negative context, indicating that the subject is not being given the time or consideration it deserves. It can also be used to express disapproval or dissatisfaction with the way someone or something is being treated.

    Overall, "short shrift" is a versatile idiom that can be used to convey a lack of attention or consideration, as well as a quick and harsh treatment of someone or something.

    Origin of "Short shrift"

    The origin of the idiom "short shrift" can be traced back to the practice of giving a condemned person little time for confession or absolution before execution. In medieval times, a "shrift" was a confession to a priest, and a "short shrift" meant a brief or hurried confession. This gave rise to the figurative use of the phrase to refer to giving little or no attention or consideration to something.

    The idiom has been used in English since at least the 19th century, and it continues to be a common expression in modern language. Its origin in the practice of granting little time for confession before execution adds a layer of historical and cultural significance to its use.