【get the short end of the stick】 —(also: get the dirty end of the stick) have the disadvantage in a bargain, contest, etc.:

• Francine always gets the short end of the stick when it comes to school plays.

Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase draw the short straw—be chosen to perform a task that nobody wants to do:

• Brenner drained his glass with a sense of relief, thankful that it was someone else who had drawn the short straw.

【get the wrong end of the stick】 —(also: get hold of the wrong end of the stick) completely misunderstand smth.:

• I said how nice he was and Julie got the wrong end of the stick and thought I wanted to go out with him.