short shrift


noun

a brief time for confession or absolution given to a condemned prisoner before his or her execution.
little attention or consideration in dealing with a person or matter: to give short shrift to an opponent's arguments.

Origin of short shrift

First recorded in 1585–95

Example sentences from the Web for short shrift

British Dictionary definitions for short shrift

short shrift

noun

brief and unsympathetic treatment
(formerly) a brief period allowed to a condemned prisoner to make confession
make short shrift of to dispose of quickly and unsympathetically