come up short
phrase
: to not go far enough : be insufficient
The shot came up short of the target.
The state education budget came up short last year.
Cite this Entry
“Come up short.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/come%20up%20short. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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