come short

USAGE SUMMARY

"come short" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone or something is not sufficient or does not meet expectations or standards. For example, "The TV show was good, but it still came short of expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

The letters she received in return were slow to come, short, predictable.

The New Yorker

The Bible teaches that all have sinned and come short of God's glory".

The New Yorker

Defoe likes to come short, pick up the ball and run at people.

The Guardian - Sport

These approaches separately investigate functional and structural features of the landscape, and may come short of a total definition if used separately.

Ecological Indicators

We've loved the time together and the work we've put into it so, to come short at the end of it is disappointing.

The Guardian - Sport

One of them would need to come short and Defoe can drop back and pick up passes the way Rooney does.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Whether you think that's a good thing or a bad thing is a matter of taste, but one could certainly argue that the focus on the visual aspects of that performance (and others to come) short-changed the musical genius of the duo.

Vice

Her breath came short and quick.

The New Yorker

My chest tightened, and my breath came short.

The New Yorker

"My dad didn't really pay the child support; he was coming short.

The New York Times - Sports

Fertilizer stocks fell after surging earnings by Mosaic still came short of Wall Street's expectations.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "come short", ensure the context clearly indicates what standard or expectation is not being met. For example, "The project came short of its funding goals" provides a clear understanding of the deficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "come short" without specifying what is lacking or what standard it fails to meet. Saying "The effort came short" is less effective than "The effort came short of the necessary resources".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come short" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a failure to meet expectations or achieve a desired level. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it implies a deficiency or inadequacy in reaching a particular standard, goal, or requirement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come short" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating a failure to meet expectations or achieve a desired standard. According to Ludwig AI, it signifies a deficiency or inadequacy. While its frequency is uncommon, as evidenced by the examples, it appears in diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. To maximize its impact, be clear about what is lacking or what standard it doesn't meet. Related alternatives include "fall short", "be insufficient", and "not measure up". When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the unmet standard or expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall short

Replaces "come" with "fall", emphasizing the act of failing to reach a target.

be insufficient

Focuses on the lack of required quantity or quality.

not measure up

Highlights the failure to meet a certain standard or expectation.

fail to reach

Emphasizes the inability to attain a specific goal or level.

prove inadequate

Stresses that something has demonstrated its inability to fulfill a need.

be deficient

Highlights a lack or shortage of something necessary.

miss the mark

Uses a metaphor to suggest a failure to achieve the intended outcome.

not suffice

Similar to "be insufficient" but more formal.

be wanting

Implies a lack of something essential or desirable.

come up lacking

Similar in meaning to "be wanting" emphasizing a deficiency.

FAQs

What does "come short" mean in a sentence?

The phrase "come short" means to fail to reach a particular standard, expectation, or goal. It implies that something or someone has not achieved the desired outcome or level of performance. For instance, "The team's performance came short of their previous record".

What can I say instead of "come short"?

You can use alternatives like "fall short", "be insufficient", or "not measure up" depending on the context.

How can I use "come short" effectively in writing?

To use "come short" effectively, make sure to clearly specify what standard or expectation is not being met. For example, instead of saying "The budget came short", specify "The budget came short of the required amount for the project".

What is the difference between "come short" and "come up short"?

While both phrases indicate a failure to achieve a desired outcome, "come up short" often implies a more unexpected or surprising failure, whereas "come short" can simply indicate a predictable lack or deficiency. The two phrases are very similar in meaning, and in many cases, interchangeable.