Idioms are lively, figurative expressions that bring a splash of creativity and brevity to conversations, especially when describing things that are concise, brief, or small in stature. These phrases capture the essence of shortness—whether in time, height, or quantity—using vivid imagery that makes dialogue more engaging and memorable.
In this expansive listicle, we’ll explore 53 idioms related to the concept of “short,” decoding their meanings and illustrating their use with examples. Whether you’re looking to add some succinct flair to your conversations or curious about the colorful ways people describe brevity, this guide will dive deep into the world of idioms for short. Let’s get started and uncover how these expressions can pack a punch in just a few words!
What is an Idiom for Short?
Idioms for short are figurative phrases that describe brevity, smallness, or conciseness in time, physical size, or quantity using imaginative language. These expressions make discussions about shortness more dynamic and relatable, often with a touch of humor or wit. Below, we’ll unpack each idiom, its meaning, and how it can be woven into everyday conversations with flair.
Idioms for Short
1. Short and Sweet
Meaning: Something that is brief but pleasant or effective.
In a Sentence: Her speech at the conference was short and sweet, delivering a powerful message in just a few minutes that left the audience inspired and appreciative.
2. Cut to the Chase
Meaning: To get to the point quickly without unnecessary details.
In a Sentence: Instead of rambling about the project’s background, he cut to the chase and explained the key objectives, saving everyone time in the busy meeting.
3. In a Nutshell
Meaning: To summarize something briefly or concisely.
In a Sentence: She explained the entire novel’s plot in a nutshell, condensing hours of reading into a few sentences that captured the story’s essence perfectly.
4. Short End of the Stick
Meaning: To receive the less favorable or smaller portion of something.
In a Sentence: When the team divided the workload, he got the short end of the stick, tasked with the most tedious assignments while others took on lighter roles.
5. Short-Changed
Meaning: To be given less than what is deserved or expected, often in a deal or exchange.
In a Sentence: She felt short-changed when her boss praised her colleague’s minor contribution but overlooked her extensive efforts on the project.
6. Keep It Short
Meaning: To be concise or brief in communication or action.
In a Sentence: Knowing the audience’s limited attention span, the presenter kept it short, delivering a crisp five-minute talk that still covered all the key points.
7. Short on Time
Meaning: Having limited time to complete a task or meet a deadline.
In a Sentence: With the event starting in an hour, they were short on time and had to rush through the decorations, hoping everything would still look presentable.
8. Short Fuse
Meaning: A tendency to become angry or upset quickly, implying a brief temper.
In a Sentence: His short fuse made team meetings tense, as even minor disagreements could set him off, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere for everyone.
9. Short and Curlies
Meaning: To have complete control or power over someone, often in a vulnerable situation (informal).
In a Sentence: The contractor had them by the short and curlies, knowing they couldn’t find another builder in time to meet the tight construction deadline.
10. Short of Breath
Meaning: To be out of breath, often due to exertion or excitement, implying a brief capacity to breathe.
In a Sentence: After sprinting up the hill to catch the bus, she was so short of breath that she could barely speak to the driver as she boarded.
11. Short-Lived
Meaning: Something that lasts only a brief period of time.
In a Sentence: Their excitement over the new gadget was short-lived, as it broke down within days, leaving them frustrated and disappointed with the purchase.
12. Come Up Short
Meaning: To fail to meet expectations or achieve a goal, often by a small margin.
In a Sentence: Despite months of training, he came up short in the race, finishing just a few seconds behind the winner and missing the podium.
13. Short on Cash
Meaning: Having limited money or financial resources.
In a Sentence: Being short on cash, they opted for a simple picnic in the park instead of an expensive dinner, still enjoying a memorable evening together.
14. Short Notice
Meaning: Something arranged or announced with little advance warning or time to prepare.
In a Sentence: The client’s request came at short notice, forcing the team to scramble overnight to prepare a polished presentation for the next morning’s meeting.
15. Short Straw
Meaning: To be chosen for an undesirable task or outcome, often by chance.
In a Sentence: When the group drew lots to decide who’d clean the office, she drew the short straw and ended up scrubbing the floors while others relaxed.
16. Short in Stature
Meaning: A polite way to describe someone who is physically small or not tall.
In a Sentence: Though short in stature, her commanding presence and confident voice made her a natural leader in every room she entered.
17. Short Supply
Meaning: Something that is scarce or in limited quantity.
In a Sentence: During the holiday season, popular toys were in short supply, causing parents to line up early and scour stores for the last remaining units.
18. Short Temper
Meaning: A tendency to become irritated or angry quickly.
In a Sentence: His short temper often got him into trouble, as he’d snap at colleagues over minor issues, creating unnecessary tension in the workplace.
19. Short of the Mark
Meaning: To fall below expectations or fail to achieve a goal.
In a Sentence: The fundraising campaign fell short of the mark, raising only half the funds needed to complete the community center’s renovations.
20. Short and to the Point
Meaning: Being concise and direct in communication, without unnecessary elaboration.
In a Sentence: Her email was short and to the point, clearly outlining the meeting’s agenda in just a few sentences, which everyone appreciated.
21. Short on Words
Meaning: Being reserved or not talkative, often saying little.
In a Sentence: During the interview, he was short on words, giving brief answers that left the panel wishing they’d learned more about his qualifications.
22. Short-Leash
Meaning: Being under strict control or close supervision, with little freedom.
In a Sentence: The new intern was kept on a short leash, with the manager reviewing every task to ensure no mistakes were made during the critical project.
23. Short of Expectations
Meaning: Failing to meet anticipated standards or outcomes.
In a Sentence: The highly anticipated film was short of expectations, with critics noting its lackluster plot despite the all-star cast and massive budget.
24. Short on Patience
Meaning: Having little tolerance or endurance for delays or difficulties.
In a Sentence: Short on patience after hours of troubleshooting, she finally called tech support to resolve the persistent issue with her computer.
25. Short Order
Meaning: Something done quickly or immediately, often in a casual or efficient manner.
In a Sentence: The chef whipped up a delicious meal in short order, impressing the guests with both speed and flavor at the impromptu dinner party.
26. Short on Details
Meaning: Lacking specific or thorough information.
In a Sentence: The report was short on details, leaving the team confused about the next steps and prompting a follow-up meeting to clarify the plan.
27. Short-Sighted
Meaning: Lacking foresight or planning for the long term, focusing only on immediate outcomes.
In a Sentence: His short-sighted decision to skip training cost him dearly when he struggled to keep up with the team’s advanced techniques later.
28. Short of a Miracle
Meaning: Unlikely to happen without an extraordinary or improbable event.
In a Sentence: Finishing the project by tomorrow seemed short of a miracle, given the team’s limited resources and the complexity of the tasks ahead.
29. Short-Term
Meaning: Lasting or intended for a brief period of time.
In a Sentence: They signed a short-term lease for the apartment, planning to move to a larger home once their finances stabilized in a few months.
30. Short on Luck
Meaning: Experiencing a lack of good fortune or favorable circumstances.
In a Sentence: Short on luck, he missed the bus, lost his wallet, and got caught in the rain all in one frustrating afternoon.
31. Short-Circuited
Meaning: To be disrupted or stopped abruptly, often due to confusion or overload (figuratively).
In a Sentence: Her carefully planned speech short-circuited when she saw the huge crowd, leaving her stammering before she regained her composure.
32. Short of Ideas
Meaning: Lacking creativity or solutions to a problem.
In a Sentence: The brainstorming session stalled as the team was short of ideas, struggling to find innovative ways to market the new product.
33. Short and Sharp
Meaning: Something brief but intense or impactful.
In a Sentence: The coach’s short and sharp pep talk before the game fired up the team, boosting their energy and focus for the tough match ahead.
34. Short on Sleep
Meaning: Not having enough rest or sleep, often leading to fatigue.
In a Sentence: Short on sleep after pulling an all-nighter, she struggled to stay alert during the lecture, her eyelids growing heavier by the minute.
35. Short of Funds
Meaning: Lacking sufficient money to meet needs or goals.
In a Sentence: The nonprofit was short of funds, forcing them to scale back their outreach programs despite the community’s desperate need for support.
36. Short on Confidence
Meaning: Lacking self-assurance or belief in one’s abilities.
In a Sentence: Short on confidence after a string of rejections, she hesitated to apply for the job until her friends encouraged her to take the leap.
37. Short-Run
Meaning: Something that occurs or is effective only for a brief period.
In a Sentence: The company’s short-run profits were impressive, but analysts warned that long-term growth required more sustainable strategies.
38. Short of Breath
Meaning: Experiencing difficulty breathing, often due to exertion or shock (repeated for emphasis in different context).
In a Sentence: Climbing the steep mountain trail left him short of breath, pausing every few steps to catch his wind while marveling at the view.
39. Short on Trust
Meaning: Lacking faith or confidence in someone or something.
In a Sentence: After being let down repeatedly, she was short on trust, hesitant to rely on her new teammate until they proved their reliability.
40. Short on Energy
Meaning: Feeling tired or lacking the vitality to perform tasks.
In a Sentence: Short on energy after a long week, he opted for a quiet movie night instead of joining his friends for a lively night out.
41. Short of Options
Meaning: Having few or no choices available in a situation.
In a Sentence: Short of options, they had to accept the only apartment available, even though it wasn’t their ideal home, to avoid being homeless.
42. Short on Space
Meaning: Lacking sufficient room or area for something.
In a Sentence: The tiny studio was short on space, forcing them to get creative with storage solutions to fit all their belongings comfortably.
43. Short on Hope
Meaning: Feeling pessimistic or lacking optimism about a situation.
In a Sentence: Short on hope after months of job rejections, she began to doubt her career prospects until a surprise interview call lifted her spirits.
44. Short of Perfection
Meaning: Not quite perfect but still acceptable or good.
In a Sentence: The event was short of perfection due to a few minor glitches, but the guests still had a fantastic time and praised the organizers.
45. Short on Talent
Meaning: Lacking sufficient skill or ability in a particular area.
In a Sentence: The team was short on talent this season, struggling to compete with more experienced opponents despite their enthusiasm.
46. Short on Manners
Meaning: Lacking politeness or proper behavior.
In a Sentence: Short on manners, the guest interrupted the host repeatedly, making the dinner conversation awkward for everyone at the table.
47. Short of Time
Meaning: Having limited time available (similar to short on time, but with a different nuance).
In a Sentence: Short of time before the flight, they packed their bags in a frenzy, hoping they hadn’t forgotten anything essential for the trip.
48. Short on Resources
Meaning: Lacking the materials or means needed to accomplish something.
In a Sentence: The school was short on resources, relying on outdated textbooks and limited supplies to educate a growing number of students.
49. Short on Experience
Meaning: Lacking sufficient practice or background in a particular area.
In a Sentence: Though short on experience, the young chef impressed the judges with her innovative dishes, earning praise for her natural talent.
50. Short on Excuses
Meaning: Having no valid reasons or justifications for something.
In a Sentence: Short on excuses, he admitted he’d forgotten the deadline and promised to prioritize the task to make up for his oversight.
51. Short on Compassion
Meaning: Lacking empathy or kindness toward others.
In a Sentence: Short on compassion, the manager dismissed her employee’s struggles, ignoring their plea for a more flexible schedule during a family crisis.
52. Short on Clarity
Meaning: Lacking clear understanding or explanation.
In a Sentence: The instructions were short on clarity, leaving the team confused about how to proceed with the complex project until they sought further guidance.
53. Short on Glamour
Meaning: Lacking excitement, allure, or extravagance.
In a Sentence: The event was short on glamour compared to last year’s gala, but the heartfelt speeches and warm atmosphere made it unforgettable nonetheless.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Quiz 1: Short and Sweet
What does the idiom “Short and sweet” mean?
a) Something long and complicated
b) Something brief but pleasant or effective
c) Something bitter and brief
d) Something overly detailed
Quiz 2: Cut to the Chase
What is the meaning of “Cut to the chase”?
a) To avoid the main topic
b) To get to the point quickly
c) To run away from a problem
d) To complicate a discussion
Quiz 3: In a Nutshell
When someone says, “In a nutshell,” what are they doing?
a) Expanding on details
b) Summarizing briefly
c) Changing the topic
d) Ignoring the issue
Quiz 4: Short End of the Stick
What does the idiom “Short end of the stick” suggest?
a) Receiving the best outcome
b) Getting the less favorable portion
c) Winning a competition
d) Sharing equally
Quiz 5: Short Fuse
What situation is described by the idiom “Short fuse”?
a) A calm and patient demeanor
b) A tendency to get angry quickly
c) A long attention span
d) A relaxed attitude
Quiz 6: Short-Lived
If something is “short-lived,” what does it mean?
a) It lasts a long time
b) It lasts only briefly
c) It is permanent
d) It is unpredictable
Quiz 7: Short Notice
What does the expression “Short notice” imply?
a) Plenty of advance warning
b) Little time to prepare
c) A detailed plan
d) A long-term arrangement
Quiz 8: Short Straw
When is it appropriate to say, “Draw the short straw”?
a) When chosen for a desirable task
b) When selected for an undesirable task
c) When winning a prize
d) When making a fair decision
Quiz 9: Short Supply
What is the meaning of “In short supply”?
a) Abundant and easily available
b) Scarce or limited in quantity
c) Expensive and exclusive
d) Common and widespread
Quiz 10: Short and to the Point
When someone is “short and to the point,” what are they being?
a) Vague and unclear
b) Concise and direct
c) Overly detailed
d) Emotional and expressive
Answers:
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
Conclusion
Idioms for short are like verbal snapshots, capturing the essence of brevity and conciseness with wit and charm that make conversations more lively and engaging. Whether you’re describing a quick moment, a small stature, or a limited resource, these 53 idioms offer a rich palette of expressions to enhance your dialogue. Sprinkle them into your conversations to add a touch of creativity and precision, and watch how they bring a succinct spark to your everyday interactions.