short of
The phrase "short of" is versatile and can convey various meanings depending on the context, including insufficiency, exception, and not meeting a certain level.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(common)Not having enough of something.
Example
- The company is short of funds for the new project.
- We are short of time to complete the task.
B2General
(common)Less than a particular amount or standard.
Example
- The results were short of our expectations.
- The budget fell short of what was required.
C1General
(common)Except for or excluding something.
Example
- Nothing short of a miracle can save him now.
- Short of a complete overhaul, the system will remain flawed.
C1General
(common)Not quite reaching a goal or objective.
Example
- The climbers turned back short of the summit.
- They finished short of their goal.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "short of":
come shortstop shortshort acut shortrun shortbring up shortshort downgo shortshort stuffshort shriftshort form