Short-change

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain expressions used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them, too! I'm Feifei, and I'm joined by Georgie. How's it going?

I'm a bit annoyed actually because this morning I decided to treat myself with a really nice takeaway coffee, and I ordered a large cappuccino, but when I looked at it, it was only half full. I was short-changed.

Oh no! You should go back! So, you just used the expression 'short-change'. Let's learn it in this programme. Shall we start by explaining its origin?

I think that's a good idea, Feifei. So, the word 'change' can refer to the money you get back after you've paid too much for something. So, imagine I pay £10 for something that costs £7. I should get £3 change.

Right, but if the cashier only gives you £2 back, they have short-changed you. They gave you less than they should have. And that is the very literal meaning of the expression isn't it, Georgie?

It is, but this expression is often used in a metaphorical sense as well. It means that you've been given less than you deserve or that you've been treated unfairly. So, thinking back to my coffee example, the barista short-changed me by giving me a half-full cup of coffee when I paid for a large cappuccino. I feel short-changed. When was the last time someone short-changed you, Feifei?

Well, last summer when I was booking a holiday, I saw there was a gold package – a premium package – so we upgraded, but it turned out the only thing we received that was different or extra was the airport transfer. So that was a bit of a waste of money. They really short-changed us.

Oh, that is really disappointing. OK, well let's listen to more examples.

I was promised the best seat in the restaurant for Valentine's Day, but they sat me right by the toilets. I feel like they short-changed me a bit. We both worked on the report, but only my colleague got a shout-out in the company call. I feel a bit short-changed, to be honest. They said everything was included in the course, but then I had to buy my own materials. I really feel a bit short-changed.

So, short-changing someone is about giving someone less than they deserve, whether that's money, recognition or opportunity. And we've heard it can be used as a verb – the barista short-changed you, Georgie.

That's right. But we've also heard it used as an adjective to describe the feeling of being short-changed. So we can say 'be short-changed' or 'feel short-changed'. I felt very short-changed when I received my coffee this morning.

I bet. Now, hopefully you'll have better luck next time! Let's recap. We learned 'short-change', which means give someone less than they deserve.

Join us again next time. Goodbye!

Bye-bye!