Sometimes life feels unfair. Maybe someone gets blamed for something they didn’t do. Or a rule seems to help some people but not others. These are examples of injustice. Injustice means something is not fair or right. It can happen at school, at home, or even in the news. People use special phrases, called idioms, to talk about these unfair things in a clearer way.
Idioms for injustice help people share how they feel when something isn’t right. Instead of just saying, “That’s not fair,” someone might say, “The deck was stacked against me.” These sayings don’t always mean what the words sound like. But when we learn what they mean, they help us understand and talk about fairness. In this article, we’ll explore idioms people use when they feel something is unjust.
Idioms for Injustice
1. The deck was stacked against me
Meaning: Things were unfair from the start.
Within a Sentence: I tried hard, but the deck was stacked against me. / It felt like the deck was stacked against her during the contest.
In Other Words: I had no fair chance. / She was set up to lose.
2. A raw deal
Meaning: Unfair treatment.
Within a Sentence: He got a raw deal when he was blamed for no reason. / She felt she got a raw deal on the team.
In Other Words: It wasn’t fair. / She was treated badly.
3. Not playing fair
Meaning: Breaking the rules to win.
Within a Sentence: He’s not playing fair in the board game. / She didn’t play fair during the race.
In Other Words: He cheated. / She broke the rules.
4. Tilted the scales
Meaning: Made something unfair on purpose.
Within a Sentence: The teacher tilted the scales by giving her friend more time. / That rule tilted the scales against us.
In Other Words: It wasn’t even. / It was set up unfairly.
5. Given the short end of the stick
Meaning: Got the worst part or unfair share.
Within a Sentence: I got the short end of the stick when teams were picked. / He felt the short end of the stick during chores.
In Other Words: I was left out. / He got the harder job.
6. A slap in the face
Meaning: Something that feels unfair and hurtful.
Within a Sentence: Losing after all that work felt like a slap in the face. / Not being invited was a slap in the face.
In Other Words: It was rude. / It felt wrong.
7. The rules keep changing
Meaning: Being treated unfairly because the rules aren’t the same for everyone.
Within a Sentence: Every time I ask, the rules keep changing. / The rules kept changing for him but not others.
In Other Words: They weren’t fair. / It wasn’t the same for all.
8. Rigged the game
Meaning: Set something up to make it unfair.
Within a Sentence: He rigged the game so he could win. / That quiz felt rigged.
In Other Words: He cheated. / It was unfair from the start.
9. Left in the dust
Meaning: Treated unfairly and left behind.
Within a Sentence: I was left in the dust while others moved ahead. / She got left in the dust at tryouts.
In Other Words: Ignored. / Treated unfairly.
10. Not a level playing field
Meaning: The situation isn’t fair for everyone.
Within a Sentence: It’s not a level playing field when some kids get extra help. / We need a level playing field to be fair.
In Other Words: It’s not the same for all. / Some people have it easier.
11. Cheated out of
Meaning: Lost something unfairly.
Within a Sentence: He was cheated out of his prize. / She felt cheated out of her turn.
In Other Words: He didn’t get what he deserved. / It wasn’t fair.
12. Played favorites
Meaning: Treated someone better than others.
Within a Sentence: The coach played favorites with his son. / She always plays favorites in group work.
In Other Words: Showed unfair preference. / Picked favorites.
13. Kicked to the curb
Meaning: Treated unfairly and left out.
Within a Sentence: After helping, he was kicked to the curb. / She felt kicked to the curb when no one picked her.
In Other Words: Ignored unfairly. / Left out.
14. One-sided
Meaning: Only fair to one person or group.
Within a Sentence: That rule is one-sided. / It was a one-sided decision.
In Other Words: Not fair to everyone. / Biased.
15. Picked on
Meaning: Treated unfairly again and again.
Within a Sentence: He gets picked on for no reason. / They picked on her during the project.
In Other Words: Bullied. / Treated badly.
16. Black sheep
Meaning: Someone treated differently or unfairly.
Within a Sentence: He was the black sheep of the class. / She felt like the black sheep in her family.
In Other Words: Left out. / Treated unfairly.
17. Favor the few
Meaning: Only help or support a small group.
Within a Sentence: These rules favor the few. / That plan favors the few, not the many.
In Other Words: Unfair to most. / Helps only some.
18. Taken for granted
Meaning: Not valued or treated fairly.
Within a Sentence: She felt taken for granted after all her work. / I’m always taken for granted at home.
In Other Words: Not respected. / Ignored.
19. Double standard
Meaning: Different rules for different people.
Within a Sentence: There’s a double standard in how we’re graded. / That’s a double standard, he didn’t get in trouble.
In Other Words: Unfair rules. / Treated unequally.
20. Unfair shake
Meaning: Not given a fair chance.
Within a Sentence: I didn’t get a fair shake at tryouts. / That’s not a fair shake in choosing teams.
In Other Words: No fair chance. / Treated wrongly.
21. Pushed aside
Meaning: Ignored or left out unfairly.
Within a Sentence: I was pushed aside when it was my turn. / She was pushed aside during the meeting.
In Other Words: Left out. / Not included.
22. Look the other way
Meaning: Pretend not to see unfairness.
Within a Sentence: The teacher looked the other way when he cheated. / Don’t look the other way when it’s not fair.
In Other Words: Ignored wrong behavior. / Didn’t do anything.
23. Took the fall
Meaning: Got blamed unfairly.
Within a Sentence: He took the fall for something I did. / She took the fall for the group’s mistake.
In Other Words: Got blamed. / Wasn’t her fault.
24. Under the bus
Meaning: Blamed or hurt to protect someone else.
Within a Sentence: He threw me under the bus during the talk. / She got thrown under the bus by her friend.
In Other Words: Blamed unfairly. / Betrayed.
25. Not fair and square
Meaning: Not done in a right or honest way.
Within a Sentence: That game wasn’t won fair and square. / The score wasn’t fair and square.
In Other Words: Cheated. / Not right.
26. Played dirty
Meaning: Used unfair tricks.
Within a Sentence: He played dirty to win. / She played dirty in the game.
In Other Words: Cheated. / Not nice.
27. Taken advantage of
Meaning: Used unfairly by others.
Within a Sentence: I was taken advantage of for doing all the work. / She took advantage of his kindness.
In Other Words: Used. / Treated unfairly.
28. Not get a say
Meaning: Not allowed to speak or decide.
Within a Sentence: I didn’t get a say in the group choice. / He never gets a say at home.
In Other Words: No voice. / Not included.
29. All the cards
Meaning: One person has all the power.
Within a Sentence: She had all the cards in that game. / When he has all the cards, it’s not fair.
In Other Words: Controls everything. / Not equal.
30. In someone’s shadow
Meaning: Treated as less important.
Within a Sentence: I’m always in her shadow. / He stayed in his brother’s shadow at school.
In Other Words: Not noticed. / Treated unfairly.
31. The odds were against me
Meaning: Things were unfair from the start.
Within a Sentence: The odds were against me in the contest. / She had the odds against her in the race.
In Other Words: It was harder for me. / I didn’t have a fair shot.
32. Rules for some
Meaning: Not everyone follows the same rules.
Within a Sentence: It’s rules for some and not others. / That classroom had rules for some.
In Other Words: Unfair. / Not the same for all.
33. Pay the price for others
Meaning: Get in trouble for what someone else did.
Within a Sentence: I paid the price for their mess. / She paid the price for the class’s noise.
In Other Words: Got punished unfairly. / Not her fault.
34. Skipped over
Meaning: Not picked or noticed when you should be.
Within a Sentence: I was skipped over during the game. / He got skipped over in line.
In Other Words: Ignored. / Passed by unfairly.
35. Played by different rules
Meaning: Some people get treated better.
Within a Sentence: They played by different rules in the contest. / We all played by different rules.
In Other Words: Not equal. / Unfair treatment.
36. Not on equal ground
Meaning: The situation is not the same for everyone.
Within a Sentence: We’re not on equal ground in this test. / It’s not equal ground when some kids get help.
In Other Words: Not fair. / Unbalanced.
37. Back of the line
Meaning: Always made to wait or get less.
Within a Sentence: I’m always at the back of the line. / He was sent to the back of the line for no reason.
In Other Words: Treated unfairly. / Pushed behind.
38. No chance to shine
Meaning: Not given the same chances.
Within a Sentence: I had no chance to shine in the play. / He didn’t get to shine on the team.
In Other Words: Not allowed to do your best. / Missed opportunity.
39. One rule for them
Meaning: Some people don’t follow the same rule.
Within a Sentence: It’s one rule for them and another for us. / That’s one rule for them, none for others.
In Other Words: Not fair. / Different treatment.
40. Shut out
Meaning: Left out unfairly.
Within a Sentence: I was shut out of the meeting. / She got shut out of the fun.
In Other Words: Not included. / Excluded.
41. Favoritism at play
Meaning: Some people get unfair help.
Within a Sentence: That win had favoritism at play. / You could see favoritism at play in the grades.
In Other Words: Picking favorites. / Not even.
42. Unjust call
Meaning: A decision that isn’t fair.
Within a Sentence: That was an unjust call in the game. / The judge made an unjust call.
In Other Words: Wrong choice. / Not fair.
43. Closed door
Meaning: No way to be included.
Within a Sentence: It felt like a closed door when I wasn’t picked. / The chance was a closed door for her.
In Other Words: No access. / Left out.
44. Unheard voice
Meaning: No one listens to you.
Within a Sentence: My voice went unheard during the vote. / She had an unheard voice at home.
In Other Words: Ignored. / No one paid attention.
45. Handed nothing
Meaning: Others got things, but you didn’t.
Within a Sentence: They got treats, I was handed nothing. / I worked hard but was handed nothing.
In Other Words: Got no reward. / Unfairly left out.
46. Took all the credit
Meaning: Someone else got praise for your work.
Within a Sentence: He took all the credit for our idea. / She took the credit for my drawing.
In Other Words: Unfair praise. / Stole credit.
47. Played second fiddle
Meaning: Always treated like you’re less important.
Within a Sentence: I played second fiddle in our team. / She played second fiddle to her cousin.
In Other Words: Less attention. / Unfairly lower.
48. Left high and dry
Meaning: Left alone in a bad spot.
Within a Sentence: I was left high and dry during the project. / He was left high and dry without help.
In Other Words: No support. / Abandoned unfairly.
49. Voice didn’t matter
Meaning: No one cared what you said.
Within a Sentence: My voice didn’t matter in the vote. / Her voice didn’t matter at the meeting.
In Other Words: Ignored. / Not heard.
50. All power, no say
Meaning: One side has control, the other doesn’t.
Within a Sentence: It was all power, no say for us. / He had all the power, and we had no say.
In Other Words: Unfair power. / Unbalanced.
51. Left out in the cold
Meaning: Treated unfairly and not included.
Within a Sentence: I was left out in the cold during the party. / They were left out in the cold during games.
In Other Words: Ignored. / Not invited.
52. Treated like a nobody
Meaning: Not respected or valued.
Within a Sentence: He was treated like a nobody at school. / I felt like a nobody when no one listened.
In Other Words: Not important. / Disrespected.
53. Not counted
Meaning: Ignored or not considered.
Within a Sentence: My vote wasn’t counted. / I wasn’t counted for the prize.
In Other Words: Skipped. / Not included.
54. Marked unfairly
Meaning: Judged wrongly.
Within a Sentence: My test was marked unfairly. / She was marked unfairly in the contest.
In Other Words: Graded wrong. / Judged poorly.
55. One voice louder
Meaning: Some people’s opinions get more attention.
Within a Sentence: One voice was louder in the group. / His voice was louder than everyone else’s.
In Other Words: Only one person heard. / Others ignored.
56. Ignored the facts
Meaning: Chose unfairness over truth.
Within a Sentence: They ignored the facts to help their friend. / She ignored the facts and picked her favorite.
In Other Words: Didn’t care what’s true. / Unfair choice.
57. Overlooked again
Meaning: Not noticed or picked again and again.
Within a Sentence: I was overlooked again for student helper. / She got overlooked again at the show.
In Other Words: Skipped. / Ignored.
58. Not worth as much
Meaning: Treated like you don’t matter.
Within a Sentence: They acted like I wasn’t worth as much. / He felt not worth as much on the team.
In Other Words: Not valued. / Treated as less.
59. The choice was made for me
Meaning: No control or say in the decision.
Within a Sentence: The choice was made for me without asking. / She didn’t get to choose; the choice was made for her.
In Other Words: No say. / Not asked.
60. Shadow behind
Meaning: Always behind others, no matter what.
Within a Sentence: I’m just a shadow behind my big brother. / She felt like a shadow behind her friends.
In Other Words: Always second. / Overlooked.
True/False Quiz – Idioms for Injustice
Read each statement carefully. Decide if it is True or False based on what the idiom means.
- Saying “The deck was stacked against me” means you had an unfair start.
- “Cheated out of” means someone gave you extra help.
- If you “get the short end of the stick,” you received something unfair or worse.
- “Played favorites” means treating everyone the same.
- “Took the fall” means someone else got blamed for what you did.
- If you are “left in the dust,” it means you are leading the group.
- “One-sided” means the situation was fair for everyone.
- “Under the bus” means someone protected you from trouble.
- If someone “ignored the facts,” they made a fair choice.
- “Treated like a nobody” means you are respected and praised.
- “Unfair shake” means someone didn’t get a fair chance.
- “Pushed aside” means you were included in the group.
- “No chance to shine” means someone was given many chances.
- “Played dirty” means someone cheated to get ahead.
- If someone “had all the cards,” they had the most control or power.
Answer Key
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- False
- False
- False
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Idioms Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get idioms, nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about idioms together!
Conclusion
Everyone wants to be treated fairly. But sometimes things don’t go that way. When that happens, people use idioms to show their feelings. These special phrases help us explain when something is not fair, without using many words.
Now that you know these idioms, you can spot them in books, movies, or real life. They help you understand how people feel and what they’re going through. You can also use them when you talk or write about unfair things. It’s a smart way to show what’s right and wrong.
