1
general::
The equivalent of, the same as, as in His accusation is nothing short of slander. This term is slightly stronger than little short of, meaning "almost the same as," as in Her claim is little short of stupid. The first term dates from about 1800, the second from about 1830. Also see SHORT OF.
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): nothing short of something
more or less the same as something bad; as bad as something. • His behavior was nothing short of criminal. • Climbing those mountains alone is nothing short of suicide.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs