shortchange

1. (transitive) To defraud (someone) by giving them less change than they should be given after a transaction.Examples: "I got shortchanged! I gave him $10 for a $5 item and he only gave me $1 back."transitive

2. (transitive, by extension) To deprive (someone or something) of something due; to treat unfairly; to cheat, deceive; to half-ass.Examples: "The elective class was easy, but in the end I was shortchanging myself by taking it."; "They delivered on time and on budget even though the schedule was tight and the price was low; and this was thought to be impressive until the customer realized that what made it possible was the low quality: they shortchanged many aspects of the job."; "Specific evidence that the United States is being short-changed in the cultural exchange program with the Soviet Union has been offered by Representative Michael Feighan of Ohio, chairman of the House subcommittee and the joint Senate House Committee on Immigration and Nationality Policy."broadlytransitive