“up short”

The following 4 entries include the term up short.

bring up short

phrase

: to cause (someone) to stop suddenly

come up short

phrase

: to not go far enough : be insufficient

come up short of

phrase

: to fail to achieve

pull up short

phrase

: to suddenly stop what one is doing


Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
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