short shrift
little attention or consideration in dealing with a person or matter: She'll give short shrift to such a weak argument.
a brief time for confession or absolution given to a condemned prisoner before their execution.
Origin of short shrift
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use short shrift in a sentence
How an antiquated understanding of race relations results in minority staffers getting the short shrift.
Traditional American notion of independence, permanency and identity with neighborhood are given short shrift in this approach.
In the Future We'll All Be Renters: America's Disappearing Middle Class | Joel Kotkin | August 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTLikely, Harold would have accepted the short shrift with his usual cynic's grace.
The Stacks: Harold Conrad Was Many Things, But He Was Never, Ever Dull | Mark Jacobson | March 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMore vexing than the short-shrift mentions are the flat-out omissions.
John Sutherland‘s Enjoyable Little History of Literature | Malcolm Forbes | November 29, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTOne reason we've given the single-parenthood problem short shrift is that we lack good ideas about how to address it.
She appears to have Irish virtue in excess, and I expect the larky would get short shrift from her.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonA joint commission drew up a well-considered plan, but in the face of a presidential election the Senate gave it short shrift.
The Canadian Dominion | Oscar D. SkeltonAs she came back Julia heard Val in the hall dismissing poor Emmie and her piano key with short shrift.
The Open Question | Elizabeth RobinsCertain it is she brought her wounded brother safe home to England, and prisoners in that war usually had short shrift.
The Amazing Marriage, Complete | George MeredithI would give life-interest in rotten house property short shrift by burning the festering places.
London's Underworld | Thomas Holmes
British Dictionary definitions for short shrift
brief and unsympathetic treatment
(formerly) a brief period allowed to a condemned prisoner to make confession
make short shrift of to dispose of quickly and unsympathetically
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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