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

Under the terms of its settlement agreement, if Paramount falls short of its annual quotas, it’ll be fined $30 million per film, 90% of which will be paid out to film workers and 10% to the National Association of Attorneys General. — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

EmpCo, as the directive is also known, falls short of the Green Claims Directive’s full scope. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

Even the most robust learning program can fall short if managers are not actively engaged in employee development conversations. — Priya Krishnan, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

The party, founded by a royal adviser close to King Mohammed VI and known by its French acronym PAM, fell short of an absolute majority and will need to negotiate with other parties to form a governing coalition. — ABC News, 25 Sep. 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