Although the adjective short has several different meanings, three of them appear to be the most recurrent, consequently the most important for those who wish to get practical mastery over this rather interesting field of English Language: idioms.
So, basically, short expresses the concepts of insufficiency, brevity and exceptionality (this last one having a reduced presence in the expression with short largely used nowadays).
- a short drink: a strong alcohol drink served in small quantities.
- to be on short time: to work fewer hours or days than usual because the employer has not enough work for the workmen.
- to be short (of something): not to have enough (of something)
of time, money, food...
- to cut something short: to bring something to an end before the proper time.
We had to cut short our discussion because the boss had to go to a meeting somewhere else.
- to fall short (of something): to be inadequate, not enough, disappointing (of hopes, expectations)
His profits for the first year of business have fallen short of his expectations.
- to have a short temper: to become angry easily, frequently and quickly.
- to run short (of something): to come to the end of one's supply (of something).
I've run short of sugar. Could you lend me some?
- for short: as an abbreviation
Katherine is always called 'Kate' for short.
- in short: briefly, in a few words.
- short of: except, apart from
They say he's capable of anything short of murder.
- by the short hairs: under one's complete control. This expression is often used with get or have. It is in effect a euphemism for have someone by the balls, the hairs in question being public hair.
She had her husband by the short hairs.
- caught short: found to be lacking something one needs, especially money. This idiom uses short in the sense of "lacking money".
Can you pay the check? I seem to be caught short.
- in short supply: less than is needed, lacking.
Skilled operators were in short supply.
The hotels are all full, and beds are in short supply.
- life is too short: do not waste time on unimportant matters or unworthy emotions, such as anger or anxiety. This phrase, possibly echoing the ancient Latin proverb, Ars longa, vita brevis ("Art is long-lasting, life is short"), is often used to dismiss an unimportant or unworthy concern.
I could get my revenge by snubbing Tom, but life's too short.
Don't spend all day waiting for his call life is too short.
- make a long story short: get to the point. Although the idea of abbreviating a long-winded account is ancient, this precise phrase dates only from the 1800s. Henry David Thoreau played on it in a letter of 1857: "Not that the story need be long, but it will take a long time to make it short."
To make a long story short, they got married and moved to Omaha.
- make short work of: to finish or dispose of quickly.
We made short work of the chocolate layer cake.
- nothing short of: the equivalent of, the same as.
His accusation is nothing short of slander.
This term is slightly stronger than little short of , meaning "almost the same as"
Her claim is little short of stupid.
- sell short: contract for the sale of securities or commodities one expects to own at a later date and at a lower price.
Selling short runs the risk of a market rise, forcing one to pay more than one expected.
sell someone short: underestimate the true value or worth of someone.
Don't sell her short; she's a very able lawyer.
- stop (one) short: check abruptly.
When we tried to cross the street, the barrier stopped us short.
Cause someone to stop speaking.
I was about to tell them the date when my father stopped me short.
stop short of: not go so far as to do or say something.
He may embroider the truth but he stops short of actually lying.
- in short order: quickly, without delay.
The children got ready in short order to go to the mall.
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