Shaft Sb Compounds) A Narrow Part Etc. (Literary) A A Pain

noun

1 (often in compounds) a long, narrow, usually vertical passage in a building or underground, used especially for a lift/elevator or as a way of allowing air in or out / a lift/elevator shaft / a mineshaft / a ventilation shaft

2 the long narrow part of an arrow, hammer, golf club, etc / The clubs are fitted with graphite shafts.

3 (often in compounds) a metal bar that joins parts of a machine or an engine together, enabling power and movement to be passed from one part to another see also camshaft, crankshaft

4 [usually plural] either of the two poles at the front of a carriage or cart between which a horse is fastened in order to pull it

5 ~ of light, sunlight, etc. (literary) a narrow strip of light A shaft of moonlight fell on the lake. (figurative) a shaft of inspiration

6 ~ of pain, fear, etc. (literary) a sudden strong feeling of pain, etc. that travels through your body / Shafts of fear ran through her as she heard footsteps behind her.

7 ~ of sth (formal) a clever remark that is intended to upset or annoy sb / a shaft of wit

give sb the ˈshaft (NAmE, informal) to treat sb unfairly

verb
~ sb (informal)to treat sb unfairly or cheat them