english
1
general::
Phrase(s): short of something not having enough of something. • I wanted to bake a cake, but I was short of eggs. • Usually at the end of the month, I’m short of money.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Having an inadequate supply of, as in We're short of cash right now. [Late 1600s] Also see FALL SHORT OF. 2. Less than, inferior to, as in Nothing short of her best effort was needed to make the team. [Mid-1500s] 3. Other than, without resorting to, as in Short of yelling, I had no other way of getting his attention. 4. See STOP SHORT, def. 3.
American Heritage Idioms