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Definition of gives them the shaft

give the shaft

  • treated unfairly or harshly.
    He was given the shaft.
    He was shafted.

    Last edited on May 21 1999. Submitted by JoAnn from Denver, CO, USA on May 21 1999.

verb - transitive

  • to reject or diss someone.
    I gave him the shaft.

    Last edited on Mar 08 2018. Submitted by Tommi R. from New York, NY, USA on Sep 22 1998.

  • to reject.
    Margaret gave me the shaft for the prom.

    Last edited on Mar 08 2018. Submitted by J.T. S. from Fremont, CA, USA on Apr 26 1999.

  • to give someone the shaft is to ignore them or not talk to them, also could be refusing to give someone a kiss or putting someone down
    John just gave me the shaft!

    Last edited on Nov 04 1999. Submitted by Stacy from Vermont, USA on Nov 04 1999.

  • shaft (n.) - crap, nothing; almost always prefaced by "the", ex.: We waited in line for 5 hours, but when we got to the desk we got the shaft.

    Last edited on Apr 04 2002. Submitted by John P. from Provo, UT, USA on Apr 04 2002.

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Related words

Slang terms with the same meaning

Other terms relating to 'to reject, ignore':

Definitions include: to ignore or dismiss.
Definitions include: to ignore.
Definitions include: to deliberately ignore someone when you meet them.
Definitions include: Rejection of a request or an advance, most commonly in the romantic context.
Definitions include: Absolutely do not ignore as one would do if sleeping.
Definitions include: to be cut off from contact.
Definitions include: to steal.
Definitions include: to reject.
Definitions include: A term used in the Bronx in the seventies denoting that a person is ignored, looked over, paid no attention to, wrote off, disrespected.
Definitions include: to reject or cancel.
Definitions include: it means to ignore, let go or pay him/her no attention.
Definitions include: to fail to meet a person or group.
Definitions include: to ignore another person(s) in a rude manner.
Definitions include: to ignore someone
Definitions include: To reject or refuse, often in an abrupt or forceful manner.

Slang terms with the same root words

Other terms relating to 'give':

Definitions include: meaning caring about everything.
Definitions include: acronym for "don't give a fuck."
Definitions include: acronym for "do I look like I give a shit."
Definitions include: to give up or to show weakness.
Definitions include: to care.
Definitions include: to give bad advice.
Definitions include: to care.
Definitions include: to care.
Definitions include: "give a fuck".
Definitions include: to care.
Definitions include: to care.
Definitions include: to care.
Definitions include: to applaud.
Definitions include: to beat up.
Definitions include: to care a tiny amount, always used in the negative

Other terms relating to 'shaft':

Definitions include: to be taken advantage of; "screwed".
Definitions include: penis.
Definitions include: to steal.

Other terms relating to 'the':

Definitions include: the real information or the proof, instruction, the know how, where, when, and why about something or someone.
Definitions include: walking, generally as opposed to driving.
Definitions include: interrogation.
Definitions include: extremely intoxicated
Definitions include: information.
Definitions include: something you have now is worth more than two things you have just a chance of getting.
Definitions include: a good estimate.
Definitions include: a secret advantage.
Definitions include: inclusive.
Definitions include: to make a bad situation worse.
Definitions include: with the amount of time left to finish a task rapidly disappearing.
Definitions include: having an opinion or belief prior to it becoming common or popular.
Definitions include: of a male, to urinate.
Definitions include: Someone being butthurt over having something, they do to others regularly, done to the them
Definitions include: secret sexual activity with a person other than one's partner.

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