Phrase guide

short of

phrase · 3 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

phrase

Meaning 1

Except; but; without resorting to; up to the point of.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He tried everything short of lending her the money himself.
  • Short of a miracle, nothing/little short of kneeling before your boss will do.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

phrase

Meaning 2

Insufficiently equipped with.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He's a nice person, but a bit short of brains.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: pushed

Antonyms: none provided

3

phrase

Meaning 3

Less than.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • An Olympic athlete cannot perform at any level short of world-class.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: à court de — insufficiently equipped with
  • German: knapp mit — insufficiently equipped with
  • German: Mangel an (haben) — insufficiently equipped with
  • Hungarian: szűkében van — insufficiently equipped with
  • Hungarian: szűkölködik — insufficiently equipped with
  • Hungarian: hiányt szenved — insufficiently equipped with
  • Scottish Gaelic: gann de — insufficiently equipped with