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shortchange

[shawrt-cheynj]
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verb (used with object), short·changed, short·chang·ing.
  1. to give less than the correct change to.
  2. to deal with unfairly or dishonestly, especially to cheat.
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Origin of shortchange

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95
Related formsshort·chang·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for short-change

short-change

verb (tr)
  1. to give less than correct change to
  2. slang to treat unfairly or dishonestly, esp by giving less than is deserved or expected
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Derived Formsshort-changer, noun
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

Word Origin and History for short-change

v.

also shortchange, "to cheat by giving too little change to," 1903, from adjectival expression short-change (with man, trick, etc.), 1901, from short (adj.) + change (n.).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper