Get a raw deal
Meaning
To receive unfair or harsh treatment, especially in a negotiation or distribution of resources.
Origin
The phrase "raw deal" emerges from the competitive world of card games, particularly prominent in 19th-century America. Imagine a hand of cards dealt in such a way that it's inherently weak, or perhaps dealt by an unskilled or even cheating dealer—a "raw" or unpolished deal. This literal misfortune at the card table quickly became a potent metaphor for any situation where someone was treated unjustly or received an inherently disadvantageous outcome. The imagery of being given a poor hand to play from, through no fault of one's own, captured the public imagination and cemented the phrase's place in the English lexicon, extending its reach far beyond the gambling dens into everyday grievances.
Examples
- After working extra hours all month, she felt like she got a raw deal when her colleague, who did less, received a bigger bonus.
- Many small businesses feel they get a raw deal from large corporations that dictate unfavorable contract terms.