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

Recent polling published by Die Zeit showed, however, that the party will fall short of winning an absolute majority in Saxony-Anhalt. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026

The result was former San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig earning enshrinement, while Belichick and the four others fell short of the necessary 80 percent vote threshold. — Mike Sando, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

If the AfD falls short of a legislative majority, all the other parties – from the conservative Christian Democratic Union to Die Linke on the far left – would likely join together to prevent the AfD from taking power. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026

Guidewire Software — Shares of the platform for insurers plummeted 21% after revenue guidance for the current quarter fell short of expectations. — Michelle Fox,darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 4 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