Phrase guide

come up short

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

Synonym of fall short.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • They kept coming up short every time they closed out the register.
  • The register kept coming up short every time they closed it out.
  • She fished in her purse for more quarters but came up short.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fall short

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.