Sometimes, people are not treated the same. Maybe one student always gets picked first, or one kid gets a bigger snack than the others. These are examples of inequality. Inequality means things are not fair or equal. It can happen at school, at home, or even in big places like cities and countries.
To talk about unfair treatment, people often use idioms. Idioms are fun phrases that don’t always mean what the words say. They help us explain how things feel or seem. In this lesson, you will learn idioms that show when something is unfair. These idioms can help you understand how people feel when they are treated unfairly. You’ll see what each one means and how to use them in a sentence.
Idioms for Inequality
1. The short end of the stick
Meaning: Getting the worst deal or unfair part.
Within a Sentence: I got the short end of the stick when I had to do all the chores. / She felt like she got the short end of the stick at recess.
In Other Words: I didn’t get treated fairly. / She didn’t get what was fair.
2. Play favorites
Meaning: Treating one person better than others.
Within a Sentence: The teacher always calls on the same kid she plays favorites. / Mom plays favorites when she gives more snacks to my brother.
In Other Words: It’s not fair. / Some kids get treated better.
3. Not on equal footing
Meaning: One person has more help or chances than another.
Within a Sentence: She had new shoes, and I didn’t we weren’t on equal footing in the race. / He had more help, so we weren’t on equal footing.
In Other Words: Things were not the same for both of us.
4. Tip the scales
Meaning: To change something so it’s unfair or not balanced.
Within a Sentence: Giving her a head start tipped the scales. / That extra help tipped the scales in his favor.
In Other Words: It made it unfair. / One person had an advantage.
5. Uneven playing field
Meaning: When someone has an easier or harder time than others.
Within a Sentence: It’s an uneven playing field when one team has more players. / The test felt like an uneven playing field because some kids had extra time.
In Other Words: Things weren’t fair for everyone.
6. Double standard
Meaning: Different rules for different people.
Within a Sentence: He got in trouble, but his friend didn’t that’s a double standard. / A double standard means my sister stays up later, but I can’t.
In Other Words: It’s not the same for everyone.
7. The cards are stacked against
Meaning: Something is unfair and harder for one person.
Within a Sentence: The cards were stacked against me in the game. / With no practice, the cards were stacked against her.
In Other Words: It wasn’t fair. / It was harder for me or her.
8. Out of the loop
Meaning: Not being included or told important things.
Within a Sentence: I was out of the loop when they planned the party. / He felt out of the loop when no one told him the rules.
In Other Words: Left out. / Not treated the same.
9. Second-class citizen
Meaning: Being treated like you are not as important.
Within a Sentence: I felt like a second-class citizen when no one picked me. / She was treated like a second-class citizen at the meeting.
In Other Words: Not treated fairly. / Not given the same chances.
10. The lion’s share
Meaning: One person gets most of something.
Within a Sentence: He took the lion’s share of the cookies. / She got the lion’s share of the prize.
In Other Words: Got the most. / Others got less.
11. Pick and choose
Meaning: To choose only the best for yourself and ignore others.
Within a Sentence: He got to pick and choose the toys first. / She always picks and chooses who to help.
In Other Words: Only helping or taking what’s best for you.
12. Have the upper hand
Meaning: To be in control or have more power.
Within a Sentence: She had the upper hand because she knew all the answers. / He had the upper hand in the game from the start.
In Other Words: More control. / A better position.
13. On the outside looking in
Meaning: Feeling left out or not part of the group.
Within a Sentence: I felt like I was on the outside looking in when I wasn’t invited. / He stood there on the outside looking in at the game.
In Other Words: Left out. / Not included.
14. Pulling strings
Meaning: Using power or connections to get ahead unfairly.
Within a Sentence: She got picked because her dad pulled strings. / He pulled strings to get the best spot.
In Other Words: Using help others don’t have.
15. The deck is stacked
Meaning: Things are unfair from the start.
Within a Sentence: The deck was stacked when the team had older kids. / I couldn’t win because the deck was stacked.
In Other Words: It wasn’t fair. / Someone had an advantage.
16. An uphill battle
Meaning: A hard fight because things aren’t fair.
Within a Sentence: Learning without a book felt like an uphill battle. / He had to face an uphill battle in the contest.
In Other Words: It was harder for him.
17. Jump the line
Meaning: To go ahead of others unfairly.
Within a Sentence: He jumped the line to get pizza first. / She jumped the line while we were waiting.
In Other Words: Skipped ahead. / Not fair.
18. Behind the curtain
Meaning: Not being shown the whole truth.
Within a Sentence: We didn’t see what was behind the curtain. / He made choices behind the curtain.
In Other Words: Kept secret. / Not open or equal.
19. Unequal footing
Meaning: Not starting from the same level.
Within a Sentence: With no computer, I was on unequal footing for homework. / She had help, so we weren’t on equal footing.
In Other Words: It wasn’t the same for us.
20. Get the boot
Meaning: To be removed or left out unfairly.
Within a Sentence: I got the boot from the team for no reason. / She got the boot from the club.
In Other Words: Got pushed out.
21. Play by different rules
Meaning: Some people don’t follow the same rules as others.
Within a Sentence: He plays by different rules because he’s the coach’s son. / They played by different rules in the contest.
In Other Words: Some get special treatment.
22. Black sheep
Meaning: A person treated as different or not good enough.
Within a Sentence: He’s the black sheep of the group. / I felt like the black sheep at the party.
In Other Words: Not treated the same.
23. Not fair and square
Meaning: Not done in a fair way.
Within a Sentence: The race wasn’t fair and square. / That test score wasn’t fair and square.
In Other Words: It wasn’t right.
24. Look the other way
Meaning: Ignore bad or unfair behavior.
Within a Sentence: The teacher looked the other way when he cheated. / They looked the other way when the rule was broken.
In Other Words: Didn’t stop the unfairness.
25. Leapfrog over
Meaning: To skip ahead of others unfairly.
Within a Sentence: He leapfrogged over others to get picked. / She leapfrogged over me in line.
In Other Words: Skipped past unfairly.
26. The favored few
Meaning: Only a small group gets special treatment.
Within a Sentence: The favored few got the best seats. / Only the favored few got picked first.
In Other Words: Only some got extra help.
27. Pushed to the side
Meaning: Ignored or left out.
Within a Sentence: I felt pushed to the side during the game. / He was pushed to the side in the group.
In Other Words: Not included.
28. Not given a fair shake
Meaning: Not given a fair chance.
Within a Sentence: I wasn’t given a fair shake in the tryouts. / She didn’t get a fair shake on the project.
In Other Words: Not treated equally.
29. Two sets of rules
Meaning: One rule for some and another for others.
Within a Sentence: There were two sets of rules for the game. / It’s not right to have two sets of rules.
In Other Words: Not the same for everyone.
30. Behind the scenes
Meaning: Decisions made without letting everyone know.
Within a Sentence: The winners were chosen behind the scenes. / The plan was made behind the scenes.
In Other Words: Not open or fair.
31. The odd one out
Meaning: The person who doesn’t fit in or is treated differently.
Within a Sentence: I was the odd one out during the game. / She was the odd one out in the group photo.
In Other Words: Treated differently. / Not part of the group.
32. Cut in line
Meaning: To skip ahead unfairly.
Within a Sentence: He cut in line at lunch. / She cut in line and didn’t say sorry.
In Other Words: Skipped. / Not fair.
33. All the breaks
Meaning: Someone always gets the good chances.
Within a Sentence: He gets all the breaks in class. / She gets all the breaks in games.
In Other Words: Always lucky. / Gets more than others.
34. Get left behind
Meaning: Others move ahead while you are stuck.
Within a Sentence: I got left behind in the race. / She got left behind in the project.
In Other Words: Didn’t get the same help.
35. On the back burner
Meaning: Something not treated as important.
Within a Sentence: My idea was put on the back burner. / He felt his work was on the back burner.
In Other Words: Not given attention.
36. Pick over
Meaning: To choose the best and leave little for others.
Within a Sentence: The snacks were picked over before I got there. / She picked over the gifts and left me the rest.
In Other Words: Took the best. / Left the rest.
37. Second fiddle
Meaning: Treated as less important.
Within a Sentence: I played second fiddle in the group. / He was always second fiddle to his brother.
In Other Words: Not put first. / Less important.
38. Push to the back
Meaning: Not given the same chances or time.
Within a Sentence: My project was pushed to the back. / She pushed my ideas to the back.
In Other Words: Not treated equally.
39. Have more say
Meaning: One person’s voice counts more than others.
Within a Sentence: She had more say in the club. / He always has more say in group work.
In Other Words: More power. / More control.
40. Not part of the inner circle
Meaning: Not included in the special group.
Within a Sentence: I wasn’t part of the inner circle. / Only the inner circle made decisions.
In Other Words: Not part of the main group.
41. Get the leftovers
Meaning: Only receive what’s left after others take the best.
Within a Sentence: I got the leftovers at snack time. / She got the leftovers during cleanup.
In Other Words: Others got better stuff.
42. Thrown under the bus
Meaning: Blamed or treated badly to protect someone else.
Within a Sentence: He threw me under the bus when we got in trouble. / I got thrown under the bus at school.
In Other Words: Took the blame unfairly.
43. Second best
Meaning: Not treated as the top choice.
Within a Sentence: I always feel like second best. / She gave me the second best prize.
In Other Words: Treated less nicely.
44. The golden child
Meaning: A person who always gets special treatment.
Within a Sentence: He’s the golden child in class. / She’s treated like the golden child at home.
In Other Words: Gets all the praise.
45. Fall through the cracks
Meaning: Forgotten or not helped when others are.
Within a Sentence: I fell through the cracks during the lesson. / He fell through the cracks when no one checked on him.
In Other Words: Wasn’t noticed. / Not helped.
46. The favorite
Meaning: The one everyone treats better.
Within a Sentence: He’s clearly the favorite of the coach. / The favorite always gets more time.
In Other Words: Always picked first. / Gets better treatment.
47. Kept in the dark
Meaning: Not told important things.
Within a Sentence: I was kept in the dark about the plan. / She was kept in the dark about the change.
In Other Words: Not informed. / Left out.
48. Given the cold shoulder
Meaning: Ignored on purpose.
Within a Sentence: She gave me the cold shoulder all day. / He was given the cold shoulder after asking for help.
In Other Words: Ignored. / Not treated nicely.
49. Passed over
Meaning: Skipped when choosing or giving something.
Within a Sentence: I was passed over for the team. / She was passed over for the prize.
In Other Words: Not picked.
50. The bottom of the list
Meaning: Treated as the least important.
Within a Sentence: My name was at the bottom of the list. / He was always put at the bottom of the list.
In Other Words: Treated last.
51. Always last
Meaning: Never chosen first.
Within a Sentence: I’m always last in games. / She’s always last to be called on.
In Other Words: Left out. / Not picked early.
52. Not in the same boat
Meaning: Not sharing the same chances or problems.
Within a Sentence: We’re not in the same boat he had more help. / She said we were equal, but we weren’t in the same boat.
In Other Words: Things weren’t the same for us.
53. The last to know
Meaning: Being told after everyone else.
Within a Sentence: I was the last to know about the game. / She’s always the last to know the news.
In Other Words: Told late. / Not treated the same.
54. Pushed to the back row
Meaning: Not given a good spot or attention.
Within a Sentence: I was pushed to the back row in the photo. / He’s always pushed to the back row in class.
In Other Words: Not seen. / Not given a fair place.
55. Given less to work with
Meaning: Not having the same tools or help.
Within a Sentence: I had less to work with than others. / She was given less to work with during the test.
In Other Words: It was harder for us.
56. Not treated the same
Meaning: Others are treated better.
Within a Sentence: We’re not treated the same at recess. / I’m not treated the same as my brother.
In Other Words: Unfair. / Unequal.
57. More eyes on one person
Meaning: One person gets more attention.
Within a Sentence: There were more eyes on her during the play. / He always gets more eyes on him in class.
In Other Words: Treated special.
58. Given the silent treatment
Meaning: Ignored as punishment.
Within a Sentence: I was given the silent treatment after the fight. / She gave him the silent treatment all day.
In Other Words: Not spoken to. / Ignored.
59. Always in the shadow
Meaning: Never noticed because someone else is favored.
Within a Sentence: I’m always in the shadow of my sister. / He lives in the shadow of the team captain.
In Other Words: Not seen. / Treated as less important.
60. Not allowed at the table
Meaning: Not given a voice or place to join in.
Within a Sentence: I wasn’t allowed at the table during the meeting. / She’s never allowed at the table when we plan.
In Other Words: Left out. / Not included.
Idioms for Inequality – True/False Quiz
- “Getting the short end of the stick” means someone got a better deal than others.
True / False - If someone “plays favorites,” they treat everyone the same.
True / False - An “uneven playing field” means everyone has an equal chance.
True / False - “The lion’s share” means one person got most of something.
True / False - If a kid is “on the outside looking in,” they are part of the main group.
True / False - “Pulling strings” can mean getting something in a way that’s not fair to others.
True / False - If the “deck is stacked,” the game is fair for everyone.
True / False - “Cutting in line” shows that someone waited their turn.
True / False - When someone is “the black sheep,” they are often treated differently.
True / False - “Thrown under the bus” means someone helped you succeed.
True / False - If someone is “the favorite,” they might get special treatment.
True / False - “Falling through the cracks” can mean someone didn’t get the help they needed.
True / False - “Second fiddle” means being treated as the most important person.
True / False - If a kid is “pushed to the side,” they are usually the leader.
True / False - “Not in the same boat” means people are having the same experience.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- False
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Idioms for Inequality Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Idioms for Inequality, nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Idioms for Inequality together!
Conclusion
Sometimes people aren’t treated the same. Idioms help us talk about these unfair moments in a simple and clear way. They show how someone might feel left out, skipped over, or given less.
When you learn these idioms, you can better understand how others feel. You can also use them to talk about your own experiences. These phrases make it easier to say what’s wrong when things just don’t feel fair.
