Give a raw deal
Meaning
To treat someone unfairly or dishonestly.
Origin
Imagine the early days of the American West. Deals were struck at dusty saloons, often with a handshake and a nod. But sometimes, a shady character would try to pass off something 'raw' – an unripe fruit, an unfinished product, or a dishonest bargain – as the real thing. This practice of offering something incomplete or subpar, essentially a jipped deal, gave rise to the phrase. It painted a picture of receiving something unrefined, unfinished, and ultimately disappointing, a far cry from a fair exchange.