Wiktionary:Word of the day/2021/February 23

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short shrift n

(countable, uncountable, chiefly Roman Catholicism, historical) A rushed sacrament of confession given to a prisoner who is to be executed very soon. (chiefly uncountable, by extension) Speedy execution, usually without any proper determination of guilt. (countable, by extension) A short interval of relief or time. (chiefly uncountable, figuratively) Sometimes preceded by the: a quick dismissal or rejection, especially one which is impolite and undertaken without proper consideration. (chiefly uncountable, figuratively, dated) Something dealt with or overcome quickly and without difficulty; something made short work of.

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