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 incumbent's campaign dismisses the Democratic push as the last-ditch effort of a campaign that will fall short. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

In terms of audio performance, though, the Scar 18 falls short. — Marshall Honorof, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026

During the pandemic, many parents realized that distance learning falls short of in-person instruction. — Dmytro Korchevskyi, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Meta Platforms, which is pushing its Muse AI agent, lost 7% after reporting stronger revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit fell short. — Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 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