shorter fuse than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shorter fuse than" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is more easily angered or has a lower tolerance for frustration compared to someone else. Example: "After the stressful week at work, I feel like I have a shorter fuse than usual when dealing with minor annoyances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"There's more traffic, people are out in the evenings, and the heat affects just about everyone". Valley Presbyterian's Kelly said some patients have a much shorter fuse than others when it's hot, resulting in more arguments with his staff, especially when the emergency room is busy and there is a long wait.

Los Angeles Times

Note also that many former Soviet Union grenades have a slightly shorter fuse than American grenades — often about three to four seconds.[14].[14]

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Here, everyone has a much shorter fuse".

The New York Times

Obama has repeatedly demonstrated strategic patience on Iran; Trump has a shorter fuse.

The New Yorker

He has a much shorter fuse about such things and provides me with a rational outlook.

The Guardian

He stopped drinking as much, which was welcome, although he developed a shorter fuse.

The Guardian

Maybe they want to know if I had a shorter fuse.

Huffington Post

It gives us jutting edges, awkward angles and shorter fuses.

Independent

Since then, Thomas has kept his short fuse under control and played better than ever, averaging 15.8 points and 9.1 rebounds in 27 games.

The New York Times - Sports

His plain speaking endears him to many voters but his notoriously short fuse has got him in hot water more than once.

The Guardian

One puzzling feature of domestic private equity (PE) funds in emerging markets is that such funds often have a "short fuse", i.e., a much shorter lifespan than their developed market counterparts.

Journal of Corporate Finance

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shorter fuse than", ensure you clearly establish a comparison. Specify who or what is being compared to, to provide context and meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "shorter fuse than" without specifying what is being compared. This omission leaves the statement vague and weakens the intended message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shorter fuse than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (often implied), indicating a relatively lower threshold for anger or frustration compared to someone or something else. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shorter fuse than" is a comparative adjective phrase used to describe someone's tendency to become angry or frustrated more easily than another. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively uncommon, the phrase effectively conveys a lower threshold for irritation. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. Consider alternatives like "more impatient than" or "less tolerant than" for nuanced expression. When using "shorter fuse than", ensure a clear comparison is established.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more impatient than

Focuses specifically on impatience as the defining characteristic.

less patient than

Directly contrasts levels of patience.

less tolerant than

Emphasizes a reduced capacity to endure or accept provocation.

quicker to anger than

Highlights the speed with which someone becomes angry.

more easily provoked than

Stresses the ease with which someone can be triggered or upset.

more reactive than

Focuses on the responsiveness and intensity of reactions.

lower threshold for frustration than

Specifies the level of frustration that triggers a reaction.

more sensitive than

Highlights heightened emotional sensitivity as a factor.

more volatile than

Emphasizes the instability and unpredictability of emotional responses.

less forgiving than

Indicates a decreased willingness to overlook offenses or mistakes.

FAQs

How can I use "shorter fuse than" in a sentence?

Use "shorter fuse than" to compare someone's tendency to anger or frustration with another person or a general standard. For example, "After the stressful week at work, I have a "shorter fuse than" usual when dealing with minor annoyances".

What is a good alternative to "shorter fuse than"?

Consider using phrases like "more impatient than", "less tolerant than", or "quicker to anger than" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "short fuse" or "shorter fuse than"?

The phrase "short fuse" refers to someone who is easily angered, while "shorter fuse than" is used to compare the level of irritability or patience between two subjects. For example, "He has a "short fuse"" versus "He has a "shorter fuse than" his brother".

What does it mean when someone has a "shorter fuse than" others?

It means they are more easily angered, irritated, or frustrated compared to others. They might react more quickly or strongly to minor provocations.