short of something/of doing something
Like this video? Subscribe to our free daily email and get a new idiom video every day!
short of (something)
1. In short supply of something; not having enough of something. I was a bit short of cash, so I couldn't go with them to the movie. I was just starting to print out the contract when I realized I was short of paper.
2. Less than or below something (in quality). Nothing short of a miracle can save the company now. My father expects nothing short of perfection from me.
3. Approaching but not actually doing or being something. She told him how much she cared for him, but stopped short of saying "I love you."
4. Besides or excluding something. Short of issuing him a formal warning, there's nothing we can legally do at the moment.
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.
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.
short of something/of doing somethingwithout something or without doing something; unless something happens: Short of a miracle, we’re certain to lose. ♢ Short of asking her to leave (= and we don’t want to do that), there’s not a lot we can do about the situation.
1. Having an inadequate supply of: We're short of cash.
2. Less than: Nothing short of her best effort was required to make the team.
3. Other than; without resorting to: Short of yelling at him, I had no other way to catch his attention.
4. Not quite willing to undertake or do; just this side of: She stopped short of throwing out the old photo.