When learning English, idioms are like secret keys that open doors to more colorful and natural communication. Idioms are phrases whose meanings go beyond the literal words, making speech richer, more expressive, and often more fun.

For learners, understanding idioms is essential because native speakers use them daily in conversations, writing, and even professional settings.

Today, we will focus on idioms for short—expressions connected with brevity, height, or the idea of being limited in time, supply, or size.

These idioms are especially useful in everyday English when you want to describe situations quickly without long explanations.

Whether you’re talking about being “short on time” before an exam, describing someone “short and sweet,” or saying a person has a “short fuse,” these idioms add clarity and personality to your language.

Did You Know?

The phrase “short and sweet” comes from Shakespeare’s play Henry VIII. In the 1500s, he used it to describe a speech that was brief but pleasing. Today, the same idiom is still widely used around the world—proof that idioms can survive for centuries while keeping their charm!

Idioms for Short in English

Below, you’ll find 38 useful idioms for short, organized into themes: time and urgency, personality and emotions, communication, and general life situations. Each idiom includes its meaning, example, alternatives, and notes on usage.

Idioms About Shortness of Time or Urgency

Short on Time

Meaning: Having very little time available.
Example: “I can’t talk right now, I’m short on time before my meeting.”
Alternative: Pressed for time.
Note: Common in professional and daily life.

In Short Supply

Meaning: Not enough of something available.
Example: “Water is in short supply in the desert.”
Alternative: Running low.
Note: Used in news, business, and everyday speech.

Cut Short

Meaning: To end something earlier than expected.
Example: “The concert was cut short due to rain.”
Alternative: Abrupt end.
Note: Neutral, used in both formal and casual contexts.

Short Notice

Meaning: Very little warning or preparation time.
Example: “She prepared the report on short notice.”
Alternative: Last-minute.
Note: Often heard in workplaces.

Short-Staffed

Meaning: Having fewer workers than needed.
Example: “The hospital is short-staffed today.”
Alternative: Understaffed.
Note: Formal and professional usage.

Short of Breath

Meaning: Difficulty in breathing.
Example: “After climbing the stairs, he was short of breath.”
Alternative: Breathless.
Note: Used in health and fitness contexts.

A Day Short

Meaning: Just missing the required time.
Example: “His visa expired a day short of the deadline.”
Alternative: Barely missed.
Note: Common in travel, deadlines, and timekeeping.

Short on Cash

Meaning: Not having enough money.
Example: “Sorry, I can’t join you; I’m short on cash this week.”
Alternative: Broke.
Note: Informal, casual conversation.

Idioms About Personality and Emotions

Short Temper

Meaning: Gets angry quickly.
Example: “He has a short temper, so don’t tease him.”
Alternative: Hot-headed.
Note: Common in daily life, informal.

Short Fuse

Meaning: Easily loses patience.
Example: “Be careful, she’s on a short fuse today.”
Alternative: Quick to anger.
Note: Informal, emotional situations.

Short Memory

Meaning: Easily forgets things.
Example: “He has a short memory when it comes to names.”
Alternative: Forgetful.
Note: Everyday conversations.

Short of Patience

Meaning: Running out of patience.
Example: “I’m short of patience with this slow internet.”
Alternative: At the end of one’s rope.
Note: Informal, daily frustrations.

Short on Confidence

Meaning: Lacking self-belief.
Example: “She’s talented but short on confidence.”
Alternative: Insecure.
Note: Used in personal and professional life.

A Few Cards Short of a Full Deck

Meaning: Not very intelligent or sensible.
Example: “That guy seems a few cards short of a full deck.”
Alternative: Not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Note: Humorous, informal, sometimes rude.

Fall Short

Meaning: Not meet expectations.
Example: “The project fell short of our goals.”
Alternative: Miss the mark.
Note: Professional, academic, and daily use.

Nothing Short of

Meaning: Emphasizes something remarkable.
Example: “Her performance was nothing short of amazing.”
Alternative: Absolutely.
Note: Formal and positive tone.

Idioms About Communication and Expression

Short and Sweet

Meaning: Brief but pleasant.
Example: “His speech was short and sweet.”
Alternative: Concise and nice.
Note: Casual and formal alike.

In Short

Meaning: To summarize briefly.
Example: “In short, we need more time to finish.”
Alternative: To sum up.
Note: Common in writing and speaking.

Make Short Work Of

Meaning: Finish something quickly.
Example: “She made short work of the exam.”
Alternative: Get it done fast.
Note: Informal but also used professionally.

Give Someone Short Shrift

Meaning: To dismiss someone quickly without attention.
Example: “He gave my idea short shrift.”
Alternative: Brush off.
Note: More formal, less common today.

Come Up Short

Meaning: Fail to achieve a goal.
Example: “The team came up short in the finals.”
Alternative: Fall short.
Note: Sports, goals, and challenges.

Short-Circuited

Meaning: Interrupted suddenly or failed.
Example: “Our plans were short-circuited by bad weather.”
Alternative: Cut off.
Note: Informal but widely understood.

Draw the Short Straw

Meaning: Chosen for an unpleasant task.
Example: “I drew the short straw and had to clean up.”
Alternative: Bad luck.
Note: Informal, casual conversations.

Idioms for General Life Situations

Short-Lived

Meaning: Lasting for only a little while.
Example: “Their happiness was short-lived.”
Alternative: Temporary.
Note: Everyday and literary use.

Short Odds

Meaning: High chance of winning or happening.
Example: “The team has short odds of winning tonight.”
Alternative: Strong chance.
Note: Common in sports and betting.

Come Up a Bit Short

Meaning: Not quite enough.
Example: “We came up a bit short on supplies.”
Alternative: Slightly lacking.
Note: Informal and casual.

A Head Short

Meaning: Slightly shorter in height.
Example: “He’s a head short compared to his brother.”
Alternative: Not as tall.
Note: Daily descriptions of people.

Short of Words

Meaning: Not knowing what to say.
Example: “I was short of words after hearing the news.”
Alternative: Speechless.
Note: Formal and informal contexts.

Short Order

Meaning: Something done quickly.
Example: “He fixed the car in short order.”
Alternative: Promptly.
Note: Slightly formal, often in service industries.

A Brick Short of a Load

Meaning: A bit foolish or lacking sense.
Example: “He’s a brick short of a load.”
Alternative: Not all there.
Note: Informal and humorous.

A Short Stretch

Meaning: A small distance or short period of time.
Example: “It’s just a short stretch to the station.”
Alternative: A little way.
Note: Casual, everyday use.

Short-Term

Meaning: Lasting only for a short period.
Example: “This is a short-term plan.”
Alternative: Temporary.
Note: Common in business and planning.

Life’s Too Short

Meaning: Don’t waste time on unimportant things.
Example: “Enjoy yourself—life’s too short.”
Alternative: Seize the day.
Note: Very popular in daily speech.

How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life

Using idioms makes your English sound more natural.

In speaking: Use “short and sweet” when complimenting a quick but effective speech or presentation.
In writing: Use “in short” when summarizing ideas in essays or reports.
In professional life: Use “short on time” or “short-staffed” in emails and meetings to describe real situations effectively.
The key is to use them naturally, not forcefully, and always in the right context.

Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms

Wrong Prepositions
❌ “I am short in time.”
✔️ “I am short on time.”
Literal Translation
❌ “She is short in fuse.”
✔️ “She has a short fuse.”
Overuse
❌ Using too many idioms in one sentence.
✔️ One or two idioms per conversation makes your English sound fluent, not confusing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does “short and sweet” mean?
It means something is brief but enjoyable or effective, such as a speech, meeting, or message.

2. Can idioms for short be used in formal writing?
Yes, but only some like “in short,” “fall short,” and “short supply” are suitable. Informal ones like “short fuse” are better in conversations.

3. Are idioms for short only about time?
No, they can describe personality, money, emotions, or situations, not just time.

4. How can I remember idioms better?
Practice by using them in short conversations, writing sentences, or connecting them with personal experiences.

5. Do native speakers really use these idioms?
Yes! Native speakers use them in casual talks, professional emails, and even media like movies and news.

Conclusion

Idioms for short bring a world of expression to English conversations. From time pressure (“short on time”) to personal traits (“short fuse”) and even life wisdom (“life’s too short”), these idioms help you speak naturally and powerfully.

By learning them, you gain not only vocabulary but also the rhythm and culture of real English. Start practicing a few every day, and soon your conversations will feel richer, more confident, and more engaging. Remember—language learning itself is short if you make the journey enjoyable!