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Glite Dictionary
💵 To give too little 💵 Less money given ⚖️ Unfair treatment
shortchange

shortchange

6.0
An act of giving someone less money than they are owed after a payment
  • noun
  • /ˈʃɔrtˌʧeɪndʒ/
translation icon : cambio incorrecto
  • The customer complained about a shortchange after the cashier gave her only three dollars instead of eight.

Examples

  • The cashier apologized for the shortchange and quickly corrected the mistake.

  • I received a shortchange of five dollars.

  • After counting her money, she realized there was a shortchange of five dollars.

  • Customers should always check their shortchange to avoid losing money.

  • Receiving a shortchange can be frustrating for customers.

  • During the audit, they discovered several instances of shortchange happening at the register.

  • To ensure transparency, the store encourages customers to report any instances of shortchange.

Synonyms

underpayment
vsshortchange
1 5.5

Giving someone less money than they should get

is specific to being given too little change after a transaction

How Much

deficit
674 4.3
shortfall
50 5.5
shortchange
6.0
underpayment
1 5.5

Surface Forms

shortchange singular
shortchanges plural

Morphology

shortchange = short + change (transparent) = short + change

The compound 'short' + 'change' directly describes giving less money than owed; the monetary sense is literal and readily inferable.

Etymology

Shortchange comes from joining short (meaning 'not enough') and change (small 'money' given after you buy something). It paints a clear picture: a shortchange is when you are given less money than you are owed.