shrift

a brief period of consideration of a person's ideas or explanations. They gave the reporter short shrift and got him out of the office. My plan got short shrift from the board—a ten-minute presentation; they then voted it down.

to receive very little attention Bus riders feel they've been getting short shrift from the transit agency for years, and they are angry about the new fare increase.

to give very little attention to someone or something Many historians have given women short shrift or ignored their role in events altogether. The town council gave short shrift to the suggestion to establish a homeless shelter.

to give very little attention to someone or something, either because you are not interested in them or because you are annoyed with them (usually passive) A planning application for a new nightclub in the town centre was given short shrift by the council. Sue gave Robert short shrift when he turned up drunk for her party.

Also, get short shrift. Give (or receive) cursory attention or little time. For example, The architect made elaborate plans for the entry but gave short shift to the back of the house . Literally, shrift refers to confession to a priest, who gives absolution and penance, and short shrift to the brief time allowed for this sacrament to a prisoner before execution. Shakespeare so used it in Richard III (3:4), but it came to be used more loosely in succeeding centuries. [Late 1800s]