What do we mean when we say it today?
Sometimes this phrase refers to doing something quickly (the teacher gave the short shrift to the students' poor answers), and other times it means to be cut short (Lindsey will only get the short shrift from Billy if she asks him to prom). But it's never a good thing.
We tend to say someone gave us short shrift nowadays. We usually don't make it anymore. Either way, this phrase is a bit of an antique. You're more likely to hear your grandma say it than you are to come across it on Twitter.