fall short

phrase

1

: to be deficient

The expedition's supplies began to fall short.

2

: to fail to attain something (such as a goal or target)

The results fell short of expectations.

Examples of fall short in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Kansas Jayhawks football team’s comeback from a 19-point third-quarter deficit ultimately fell short in a 33-32 loss to UCF on Saturday in a for-the ages thriller at Kansas Memorial Stadium. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026

But the Magic fell short in the extra five-minute period on the road in a game that featured 10 lead changes. — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026

Both teams have fallen short of expectations this season and are simply trying to make a bowl game at this point. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Nov. 2026

Duker pointed to disrupting throwing lanes and playing tighter coverage as ways to affect the quarterback even when the rush falls short. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for fall short

• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort
• deport
• disport
• distort
• escort
• exhort