short1 adjectiveshort2 nounshort3 adverbshort4 verb
shortshort1 /ʃɔːt $ ʃɔːrt/ ●●● S1 W1 adjective (comparative shorter, superlative shortest) 
WORD ORIGINshort1
Origin:
Old English scortEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- 'What does she look like?' 'She's short and fat, with brown hair.'
- a short-sleeved T-shirt
- a short course in aromatherapy
- a short pause in the conversation
- A short while later, the doorbell rang.
- a short, stocky man with powerful shoulders
- a book of short stories
- Brad is fairly short and stocky.
- Chris went for a short walk to clear his head.
- Do you know any short cuts to the hospital?
- Graham made a short speech of thanks after the ceremony.
- I've just been living here a short time.
- It's a short drive from the airport.
- It would have been better if they'd closed the road for a short period of time while the repairs were done.
- Ken gave a short speech at the award ceremony.
- Mr Haddad was several inches shorter than his wife.
- Please write a short paragraph explaining your reasons for applying to this college.
- Sandy took a short cut home.
- She has short curly hair and wears glasses.
- The chapters are really short, so I read a couple every night.
- But it was always widely feared that the narrow time frame was far too short and would work against an effective peace.
- I really do feel this way for a short time.
- I said after a short pause.
- Perhaps more significant are the events in the remaining and short history of the Rochdale Co-operative Manufacturing Society.
- Suddenly, every day seems just that little bit shorter.
- The problem worsens with the relentless financial pressures for immediate performance in the short run.
THESAURUStime
not long: · I lived in Tokyo for a short time.· Smokers have a shorter life expectancy than non-smokers.
especially written lasting only for a short time. Brief is more formal than short, and is used especially in written English: · The president will make a brief visit to Seattle today.· He coached Hingis for a brief period in the 1990s.
[only before noun] taking a short time to do something: · I had a quick look at the map.· He had a quick shower and then went out.
lasting only for a short time – used especially when someone wishes that a good situation had been able to last for longer: · short-lived success· The ceasefire was short-lived.· a short-lived romance· short-lived optimism about the economy
lasting only for an extremely short time – used especially when someone wishes that something had been able to last for longer: · a fleeting visit· a fleeting smile· She caught a fleeting glimpse of him.· a fleeting moment of happiness· a fleeting thought
lasting for a very short time – used especially about feelings or pauses: · There was a momentary pause in the conversation.· The momentary panic ended when he found his two-year-old son waiting happily outside the store.
[only before noun] lasting only for a short time – used especially when people are only interested in something or mention something for a short time: · passing fashions· He made only a passing reference to war.· It’s just a passing phase (=it will end soon).
formal lasting only for a short time, and ending quickly like everything else in this world: · Beauty is ephemeral.· the ephemeral nature of our existence· His wealth proved to be ephemeral.
person someone who is short is not as tall as most people: · He was a short fat man.
quite short. This phrase sounds more gentle than saying that someone is short: · She wasn’t very tall – maybe about 1.60 m.
short and with a small body: · My mother was a small woman.· The girl was quite small for her age (=smaller than other girls of the same age).
used about a woman who is attractively short and thin: · She was a petite woman with blonde hair.
used about a boy or man who is short, heavy, and strong: · Harry was stocky and middle-aged.
short and fat: · a dumpy girl with red hair
formal literary very short or small – used especially in descriptions in novels: · a diminutive figure dressed in black
stubby fingers or toes are short and thick: · the baby’s stubby little fingers
Longman Language Activatorshort in length or distance if something is short , there is only a small length or distance from one end of it to the other: · These curtains are much too short.· She has short curly hair and wears glasses.· a short-sleeved T-shirt· You look different - your hair's shorter.· The hotel is just a short distance from the station.· Chris went for a short walk to clear his head.short cut (=a shorter, and therefore quicker, way of getting to a place): · Sandy took a short cut home.· Do you know any short cuts to the hospital?
body parts that are stubby or stumpy are short and thick: · Pheasants have short stubby wings which enable them to fly very fast and low.· a fat little boy with stumpy legs
when something you say or write is short a short piece of writing or speech does not have many pages or words: · Graham made a short speech of thanks after the ceremony.· a book of short stories· The chapters are really short, so I read a couple every night.· We had a short pep talk from the coach before the game.· Please write a short paragraph explaining your reasons for applying to this college.
a brief note, description, remark etc uses very few words and gives very few details: · The book begins with a brief outline of the history of modern China.· We just have to write a very brief piece on what we did in the vacation.· There was a brief note with the flowers.
short and clear, and with no unnecessary words: · Saussure expressed his arguments in a concise and logical way.· Sergeant Hanks gave us concise, sensible instructions.clear and concise: · Make sure that your answers are as clear and concise as possible.
formal expressing something well but with very few words: · The new labelling is more succinct and advises consumers simply that oat bran may help prevent heart disease.
to make something shorter to make something shorter, especially by removing part of it: · I heard she had an operation to shorten her nose.· You can improve your writing just by shortening some of these long sentences.· It costs £12 to get trousers shortened.· This essay's still too long, I'll have to shorten it by a couple of thousand words.shorten something to something: · His name's Lawrence, but it's usually shortened to Larry.
to make something shorter, especially by removing part of it: · You could make your speech shorter by taking out all the quotations.make something one metre/two centimetres etc shorter: · Engineers have removed a section of the pipeline, making it about a hundred metres shorter.
to make a film or piece of writing shorter by removing parts from it: · Even after it had been cut, the film was still over three hours long.· I had to cut huge chunks out to get this essay to the right length.cut something from something: · It's so difficult to cut even a couple of scenes from a play without losing some of the story.
to make a piece of writing shorter by removing parts of it completely: cut something down: · The introduction's too long. Can you try and cut it down?· Did you have to cut your dissertation down?cut down something: · They want me to cut down my article so that it'll all fit onto one page.
to shorten something spoken or written, by not giving as much detail, or by using fewer words to give the same information: · I'd like to condense that statement still further.condense something into something: · Hawkins condensed all his writings into one volume for publication.· How could he condense all he had lived through into a sixty-minute speech?
when a book or piece of writing has been made shorter: shortened version (of something) · This chapter is a shortened version of a paper that was written in 1977.· a shortened version of the Jewish creedin (a) shortened form · The book contains many of the most popular stories from the Bible in shortened form.
: abridged version/edition/account (of something) a shortened version of a piece of writing or speech, which keeps its basic structure and meaning: · The following article is an abridged version of a speech given by Porter in May 2000.· The book is an abridged account of his experiences in India before Independence.
to say or write something using as few words as possible to say something using as few words as possible, because you do not have much time: · Lieutenant, I'll be brief and I'll be candid -- when do you plan to leave?· I'm sure you're all very busy, so I'll be brief.· I'll be as brief as possible so as not to waste your time.
informal to say or write something using as few words as possible: · I'll keep it short as I don't have much time.· Tell me, but keep it short, I'm in the middle of something.keep it short and sweet/short and simple: · Mr Chairman, I think I've got five minutes, so I'll keep it fairly short and sweet.
when a name or word is a shorter way of saying something · VHF is short for Very High Frequency.· 'Is "Shelley" short for anything?' 'Yes, my real name's Michelle.'· What's 'ISP' short for?
if a letter stands for a name or word, it is the first letter of that name or word: · 'What does "NAC" stand for?' 'National Aerobics Championships'.· On a US ship, you see 'USS', standing for 'United States Ship'.· The 'F' in 'John F Kennedy' stood for 'Fitzgerald'.
if you call someone or something a particular name for short , you call them by a name that is a shorter way of saying their real name: · Hi, my name's Moses -- Mo for short.· He's actually called Jeremy, but everyone who knows him calls him Jem for short.
to make a long name or word shorter so that it is easier to say or write: · Is it correct to abbreviate 'Avenue', 'Street' and so on when writing an address on an envelope?be abbreviated to something: · The word "kilogram' is usually abbreviated to "kg'.
a shorter way of saying a word or the name of something such as an organization or someone's job, especially by using the first letters of words instead of the whole words: · Disk Operating Systems are usually known by the abbreviation DOS.· a Dictionary of Acronyms and Abbreviations· I never knew the abbreviation 'GI' stood for 'Government Issue'.abbreviation for: · BBC is an abbreviation for British Broadcasting Corporation.
not tall not as tall as most people: · 'What does she look like?' 'She's short and fat, with brown hair.'· a short, stocky man with powerful shoulders· Mr Haddad was several inches shorter than his wife.
fairly short: · She's not very tall - about 1.4 metres, I'd say.· Well, I'm not very tall and my legs are short, so I always had trouble in the hurdle race.
not as big or as tall as most people: · a small man in a dark suit· How come I always seem to go out with small men?· My sister's quite a bit smaller and slimmer than me.small for his/her age (=smaller than other children of the same age): · Bobby's small for his age, but he's perfectly healthy.
short and small, used especially to describe children or old people: · We saw a little old lady with a walking-stick.· Who's this little boy in the blue sweater?· I haven't seen one of those since I was a little girl.
a woman who is petite is attractively short and thin: · His wife was a petite dark-haired woman in her early thirties.
a man who is stocky is fairly short and looks heavy and often strong: · Brandon's quite stocky really, isn't he?· He's a big stocky bloke and he plays rugby.
short and fat, especially in an unattractive way: · The cook was short and squat, with thick eyebrows and a slight moustache.· a shabby, squat, balding man in an old raincoat
very short · A tiny old lady answered the door.· She's tiny, but she belts out these old blues songs like you wouldn't believe.· They look so funny together. She's really tiny and her husband's about six foot five.tiny little informal · She was holding a tiny little baby in her arms.
written unusually small and thin: · Peter was a shy, diminutive man who seldom said anything to anyone.· A diminutive figure appeared in the doorway.
a short time · Unfortunately, we could only spend a short time together.· The talk should only last a short time.in/within a short time · How did you manage to do all this in such a short time?· The police arrived within a very short time.a short time ago · Your friends left a short time ago.for a short time · I think he went to prison for a short time.
a short period of time, during or after which something happens: · It always takes a little while to get used to the climate.for a short/little while: · Bob's only worked here for a short while, about six months I think.a little while/a short while ago: · He died a little while ago.· She was in the papers a short while ago. after/in a little/short while: · If you take the pills now, your headache will go after a short while.· Don't start that now, it'll be time to go in a little while.
a very short time, no more than a few minutes: · Just a moment Susie, can I have a quick word with you?· Can I borrow your pen a minute?· Wait a minute, I'm nearly ready.a minute/moment ago: · Where's Charles gone? He was here a moment ago.for/in a minute/moment: · Sit down for a minute and rest your legs.· Mark should be back in a moment.· I'll be with you in a minute.
an extremely short time, no more than a few seconds: · Do you mind switching the telly on a second?· An instant later, she let out a piercing scream.· 'Yes,' she declared, without an instant's hesitation.· 'Have you finished writing?' 'No, hang on a second.'for a second/an instant: · Can I stop you there, just for a second?· Just hold that end for a second while I fix this to the wall.· Did her eyes flicker open for an instant?in a second/an instant: · Mr Smart's on the other line, can he call you back in a second?· We both fell asleep in an instant.
British spoken a short time, usually just a few minutes: · I waited, and a bit later the phone went again -- it was Bill.· Oh, wait a bit, can't you?after/for/in a bit: · I think I'll lie down for a bit.· 'Are you coming?' 'Yes, in a bit.'· After a bit, Bill had started to tire of her company.
continuing for only a short time continuing for only a short time: · The meeting was shorter than I'd expected.· the shortest day of the year· a short course in aromatherapy· It would have been better if they'd closed the road for a short period of time while the repairs were done.
a quick action takes only a very short time, because you are in a hurry: · I took a quick look at the map.· Do I have time for a quick shower before we go out?· She's going to give me a quick lesson on Feng Shui this afternoon. · Can I ask just one quick question?
a brief pause, visit etc is short, especially because there is not much time available: · It was impossible to see everything during our brief visit to Paris.· After a brief intermission, the performance continued.
if something does not take long , you do it and finish it in a short time: · Let me show you how to use the program -- it won't take long.not take long to do: · We'll have the chicken drumsticks - they won't take long to thaw.it doesn't take (somebody) long to do something: · It didn't take long to solve the problem.· It sure didn't take you long to smell the food!
something that is temporary is expected to continue for only a short time and will not be permanent: · The doctor says the swelling is just temporary and should go down in a few days.· a temporary driver's license· They're living in temporary accommodation at the moment.temporary workers/staff/job etc: · Demand for temporary workers continues to rise.· Ben's found a temporary job until November.
something that is short-lived ends sooner than you want it to - use this especially about a feeling or relationship: · They had a passionate but short-lived affair. · We were glad to be home, but our happiness was short-lived.· However, the President's popularity may prove to be short-lived.
: passing thought/interest/fashion/phase etc one that continues for a short time and then quickly disappears: · At the time, I didn't give Alison so much as a passing thought -- I had other things on my mind.· Most people take only a passing interest in their horoscope.· Whether this is just a passing fad or a lasting fashion trend, only time will tell.
formal continuing for only a short time - used especially in literature: · No dictionary can really capture something as fleeting and ephemeral as slang. · Hopes of political unity in the region have proved ephemeral.
to breathe with difficulty unable to breathe easily, especially because you are unhealthy: · When I wake up in the morning I'm often very short of breath.· She got short of breath very easily because she was so overweight.· The fog irritated his lungs and made him short of breath.
having difficulty breathing, especially because you have just been running, climbing stairs etc: · She sounded a little breathless, as if she had been running.· We were all a little out of breath when we got on the train.· Can we have a rest? -- I'm a bit out of breath.
to breathe very quickly and deeply because you are having difficulty breathing normally, for example after running fast or because you have been injured: · The hill was very steep and they were all gasping by the time they got to the top.· "Do you think you can walk?" I asked. "I'll try," he gasped.gasp for breath (=because you can hardly breathe): · His mother was coughing and gasping for breath.
to breathe loudly and with difficulty, because you are doing something which needs a lot of physical effort: · You could see her puffing as she carried the heavy washing basket.· "Sorry I'm so late Maxie,'' he said, puffing breathlessly.
to breathe quickly and noisily with your mouth open, for example, because you have just been running: · Matt was still panting after his run.· When I reached the top of the stairs I was puffing and panting like an old steam engine.· A strange brown dog suddenly jumped all over him, panting, its tongue out.
also be bunged up British spoken to have difficulty breathing through your nose because you have a cold : · She doesn't want to go to school. She says her throat is sore and she's stuffed up.be all bunged up: · I couldn't sleep last night because I was all bunged up.
to breathe with a whistling noise in your throat and chest because you are ill or unhealthy: · When she coughed she made a terrible wheezing sound.· His asthma was acting up and he wheezed throughout the show.
not enough also insufficient not enough for what you need. insufficient is much more formal than not enough: · You're not getting enough sleep.not enough (something) to do something: · We didn't win enough games to get to the championship.· No matter how much money they offer me, it wouldn't be enough to make me like the job.· There was insufficient evidence to prove their allegations.not enough (something) for something: · There weren't enough apples for a pie, but they're good for eating.· Officials were worried that supplies would be insufficient for the long winter that was being predicted. not nearly enough/nowhere near enough (=much less than enough): · £1 million is not nearly enough to clean up the water in the bay.· The time they've given us is nowhere near enough.
less than you need or fewer than you need - use this especially when you are criticizing or complaining about something: · Some churches are in danger of closing because there are too few priests.· There is too little cooperation between the opposing parties to get anything done in government.too little/few to do something: · There's too little time to do everything.· There were some police officers there, but too few to control the crowd.far too little/few (=much too little or few): · Most of the students explained far too little about their research methods.
if something is scarce , there is not enough of it, so it is very difficult to get or buy: · During the war, things like clothes and shoes were scarce.· Cheap, clean hotel rooms are scarce in this city, especially in the summer.
an amount of something that is inadequate is not enough for a particular purpose: · The state pension is wholly inadequate -- no one can live on £50 a week.· Inadequate lighting made it difficult to continue the work after dinner.inadequate to do something: · The amount of fertilizer used was inadequate to ensure a good harvest.
formal not enough: · The bank charged me for having insufficient funds in my account.· There has been insufficient rainfall over the past two years, and farmers are having trouble.insufficient to do something: · The data we have is insufficient to draw any conclusions.
if a product is in short supply people cannot buy or get enough of it: · Health workers reported that medicines and basic equipment were in short supply.· The unemployment rate was at 2.5%, and talented job seekers were in short supply.
if there is a lack of something there is not enough of it, or none at all: · Fernando's eyes were red through lack of sleep.· It's lack of confidence, not lack of ability, that makes most people fail.· They threw the case out of court because of a lack of evidence.
if time or money is short , there is not as much of it as you would like: · Money's a little short this month -- we'd better be careful about spending.· The military authorities considered that the need for action was great, and time was short.
a list of people a set of the names of people in a particular place, on a course etc, written one below the other and kept as a record: list of: · A list of competitors will be posted on the main notice board.waiting list (=a list of people who are waiting to do something): · I'm afraid the English course is already full, and there is a waiting list.guest list: · This is the guest list for the wedding.draw up a list: · I drew up a list of all the jobs I had to do in the house.cross somebody off the list (=remove someone's name from a list): · Sarah's name had been crossed off the list of candidates.
British a list of a small group of people, chosen from a larger group, from which you choose one person for a job: on/onto a shortlist: · You were lucky to even get onto the shortlist.draw up a shortlist (of people): · After the first set of interviews, we will draw up a shortlist of candidates we wish to interview a second time.
an official list containing the names of all the people, organizations, or things of a particular type: register of: · a register of qualified translators· a civil register of births, deaths, and marriageselectoral register (=an official list of people who can vote in an election): · Make sure your name is on the electoral register in good time.
an official list of the names of people at a meeting, in a class etc: · The school now has a roll of over 2,000 children.on a roll: · His name was not on the voters' roll.
a list of people and the jobs they each have to do: roster for: · We organized a roster for cleaning the house.on a roster: · I noticed that my name was not on the night duty roster.
WORD SETSacronym, nounadage, nounaffricate, nounagglutination, nounalphanumeric, adjectiveanglophone, nounantecedent, nounantonym, nounaphorism, nounarchaism, nounargot, nounaspirate, verbaspirate, nounaspiration, nounassonance, nounbaby talk, nounback, adjectiveback formation, nounbilabial, nounbody language, nouncant, nouncliché, nouncognate, adjectivecognate, nouncollocate, verbcollocation, nouncolloquial, adjectivecombining form, nouncompound, nounconcordance, nounconnotation, nounconsonant, nouncontext, nouncontraction, nouncorpus, noundative, noundeclarative, adjectivedecline, verbdecode, verbdescriptive, adjectivediction, noundiminutive, noundiminutive suffix, noundiphthong, nounelide, verbellipsis, nounelocution, nounemphasis, nounencode, verbenunciate, verb-ese, suffixetymology, nouneuphemism, nouneuphemistic, adjectiveexpression, nounfigurative, adjectivefirst language, nounformal, adjectivefricative, noungender, nounglide, nounglottal stop, nounhard, adjectivehieroglyphics, nounhigh-level, adjectivehomograph, nounhomonym, nounhomophone, nounhyperbole, nounideogram, nounidiolect, nounidiom, nounidiomatic, adjectiveinflection, nounintonation, nounIPA, nounironic, adjectivejargon, nounlabial, nounlanguage, nounlegalese, nounlexical, adjectivelexicography, nounlexicon, nounlexis, nounlingua franca, nounlinguist, nounlinguistic, adjectivelinguistics, nounlip-read, verbloanword, nounlocution, nounlong, adjectivemaxim, nounmetalanguage, nounmispronounce, verbmnemonic, nounmonosyllabic, adjectivemonosyllable, nounmorpheme, nounmorphology, nounnasal, adjectivenasal, nounneologism, nounneutral, adjectivenonce, adjectivenon-standard, adjectivenonverbal, adjectiveofficialese, nounonomatopoeia, nounopen vowel, nounorientalist, nounoxymoron, nounpalindrome, nounparagraph, nounparaphrase, verbparaphrase, nounphilology, nounphoneme, nounphonemics, nounphonetic, adjectivephonetics, nounphonic, adjectivephonology, nounphrasal, adjectivephraseology, nounpidgin, nounplosive, nounpolyglot, adjectivepolysemous, adjectivepolysyllabic, adjectiveportmanteau word, nounpragmatics, nounpreliterate, adjectivepre-verbal, adjectiveprimary stress, nounpronounce, verbpronounceable, adjectivepronunciation, nounproverb, nounpsychobabble, nounReceived Pronunciation, nounrecitation, nounregister, nounretroflex, adjectiveRP, nounschwa, nounsecondary stress, nounsecond language, nounsemantic, adjectivesemantics, nounsemiotics, nounsemi-vowel, nounshort, adjectivesibilant, adjectivesibilant, nounsic, adverbsilent, adjectivesimile, nounslang, nounsound, verbspeech, nounspeech therapy, nounspell, verbspelling, nounspoonerism, nounstandard, adjectivestem, nounstop, nounstress, nounstress, verbstressed, adjectivestress mark, nounstructuralism, nounstylistics, nounsuperlative, nounsyllabic, adjectivesyllable, nounsynonym, nounsynonymous, adjectivetechnical, adjectiveterminology, nounthesaurus, nountone, nountone language, nountoneless, adjectivetongue, nountranscribe, verbtranscription, nountrope, noununpronounceable, adjectiveunstressed, adjectiveunvoiced, adjectiveusage, nounuse, verbuse, nounvelar, adjectivevocabulary, nounvoiceless, adjectivevowel, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
I’ve only been in Brisbane a short time. For a short while (=a short time), the city functioned as the region’s capital. I learned a lot during my short period as a junior reporter. Germany achieved spectacular economic success in a relatively short period of time. They met and married within a short space of time. I promise to keep the meeting short and sweet (=short in a way that is good, especially not talking for a long time). Carol’s office was only a short distance away, and she decided that she would walk there. It’s a short drive to the airport. The hotel is only a short walk from the beach. Our libraries are short of funds. Have you all paid me? I’m about £9 short. Gasoline was in short supply (=not enough of it was available) after the war. The president’s speech was long on colorful phrases but short on solutions. She was just short of six feet tall. I can’t make it Friday. It’s very short notice. He’s one sandwich short of a picnic. Most of the workers were put on short time.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Tom got a letter from him just a little while ago. Children often have a short attention span. a long trumpet blast There was a brief hiatus in the war. It’s just a short hop from Cleveland to Detroit. He was short on patience, but long on a sense of his own worth. We were on short rations (=given a smaller amount than usual). Carlos decided to take a short-cut home. She’s suffering from short-term memory loss. a short skirt and high heels a short-sleeved shirt Keep your answer short and snappy. We must have walked ten miles today. I walked all the way to San Rafael. Wait a little while before deciding.
I’ve only been in Brisbane a short time. For a short while (=a short time), the city functioned as the region’s capital. I learned a lot during my short period as a junior reporter. Germany achieved spectacular economic success in a relatively short period of time. They met and married within a short space of time. I promise to keep the meeting short and sweet (=short in a way that is good, especially not talking for a long time). Carol’s office was only a short distance away, and she decided that she would walk there. It’s a short drive to the airport. The hotel is only a short walk from the beach. Our libraries are short of funds. Have you all paid me? I’m about £9 short. British English spoken (=I haven’t got much money at the moment)
British English (=they have a lot of it) Your little girl’s not short of confidence, is she? They’re not short of a few bob (=they are rich).
Your little girl’s not short of confidence, is she? They’re not short of a few bob (=they are rich). Gasoline was in short supply (=not enough of it was available) after the war. The president’s speech was long on colorful phrases but short on solutions. She was just short of six feet tall. I can’t make it Friday. It’s very short notice. British English, on short notice American English The party was arranged at short notice.
The party was arranged at short notice. He’s one sandwich short of a picnic. Most of the workers were put on short time.· What follows is a short account of the legal procedure.
Tom got a letter from him just a little while ago. (=that you hope to achieve quickly)· The immediate aim is to develop the travel business.
(=used when giving a simple, honest, or direct answer to a difficult question)· ‘How does homeopathy work?’ ‘The short answer to this question is that we do not know how homeopathic remedies work.’
· Employing overseas nurses is only a short-term answer to the shortage.
Children often have a short attention span. a long trumpet blast· Shall we have a quick five-minute break?
(=be unable to breathe easily because you are ill, old etc)· Near the top of the mountain I started to feel short of breath.
· The home provides short-term care for elderly people.
· He became acting president in a brief ceremony yesterday.
· I did a short course on website design.
· There was a slight delay in the departure of the plane.
· There's only a brief description of the hotel on the Internet.
· I quickly walked the short distance to the car.
(=having an effect for a long or short time)· Many boxers suffer with the long-term effects of punches to the head.
· They were married last month after a short engagement.
· The band had rather a brief existence.· The show's existence was extremely short.
(=be worse that someone hoped or expected)· Our profits last year fell below expectations.
· I was very tired after the long flight.
(=that you hope to achieve after a short time)· Companies should not focus only on the short-term goal of profitability.
· These mowers only work efficiently on short grass.
· I like your hair when it’s short like that.
There was a brief hiatus in the war. It’s just a short hop from Cleveland to Detroit. (=not be as good as you think something should be)· In appearance, she fell somewhat short of his ideals.
· She nursed him through his long illness.· Arthur died following a short illness.
· A military attack may only have a short-term impact on terrorist activity.
(=one that will give you profit in a short time)· Interest rates will be cut on short-term investments.
· He let out a nervous little laugh.
· These flats are let on short leases to students.
· She was thrilled to get a long letter from her son.
· He read out a long list of errors.
(=to be paid back after a long/short time)· I intended the money as a short-term loan.
He was short on patience, but long on a sense of his own worth. (=your ability to remember things that you have just seen, heard, or done)· The drug can damage your short-term memory.
(=if you have a short memory, you soon forget things)· Voters have short memories.
· She left a short message on his answering machine.
(=it is extremely unexpected and you are very pleased about it)· What has happened is nothing short of a miracle.
· Her nails were short and uneven.
· A short nap may make you feel better.
(=without much time to prepare)· Thank you for coming to help at such short notice.
· "Well, that was a surprise," he said after a brief pause.
· He lived for a short period in Manchester.
We were on short rations (=given a smaller amount than usual).· He decided to stop and take a short rest.
· I climbed slowly aboard the bus for the long ride to Hawkesworth.
· We took the shortest route back to the hotel.
(=a short time in prison)· We’re hoping that he gets off with a light sentence.
Carlos decided to take a short-cut home. She’s suffering from short-term memory loss.· After a brief silence, Katherine nodded.
a short skirt and high heels· I always have a little sleep in the afternoon.
a short-sleeved shirt Keep your answer short and snappy.· The chairman opened the meeting with a brief speech.
· After a brief spell in a florist's shop, she became a hairdresser.
· Police last night issued a brief statement about the incident.
· No visa is required for short stays.
(=stop walking suddenly) Sally saw the ambulance and stopped short.
Sally saw the ambulance and stopped short.· He has published two collections of short stories.
· Its tail is short and pointed.
(=achieve less than you wanted to)· Car production at the plant has fallen short of its target by 5%.
(=likely to get angry very easily)· He’s got a quick temper, which gets him into trouble.
(=very stupid)
· A short time later, she heard him drive away.
· a short vacation at the beach
· Miss Russell was only able to pay a brief visit.
We must have walked ten miles today. I walked all the way to San Rafael.· The house is only a short walk from local shops.
· This total falls well short of the sum required.
Wait a little while before deciding.· a short word beginning with ‘d’ and ending with ‘g’
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Above all, the coercive force at the disposal of the Tsar fell far short of its imposing image.· This enterprise has so far fallen far short of its targets, but it remains a high priority.· In fact Carter's performance in office fell far short of his and other people's expectations.· But the plan fell far short of the integrated approach to neighborhood conservation that was being called for.· But just how far short is anyone's guess - and a guess that few are prepared to make.· As expected, the 240-159 vote fell far short of the two-thirds majority needed to prevail.· It will fall far short of actual experimentation.· But the evidence is that most of these mergers have fallen far short of their promise.
· Zone-five players were not just shorter than their opponents.· Cornerback Darnell Walker stopping Williams just short of a first down, killing a critical fourth-quarter Dallas drive.· Fifteen seconds earlier he had been knocked down and lay on the canvas as the referee counted just short of a knockout.· Here are the stories of some who stopped just short of that precipice.· This was the railway which crossed over the Corporation tramway just short of the Selby Road boundary.· He was knocked out just short, but Young quickly got the touchdown on a sneak.· Poor man, he died in 1989, just short of his eightieth birthday.· Critics stopped just short of charging the Spin Doctors with malpractice.
· Some projects may have a much shorter cycle.· The petiole is much shorter than the blade.· Set gill-nets are much shorter, and are used mostly in shallow coastal seas, where they are anchored to the seabed.· Also, she learned that she had been under anesthesia for a much shorter time than she had thought.· Mercifully, the remaining two complaint stories of the Numbers series are much shorter.· Brennan points out that Westminster Cathedral contains far more bodies than Newgrange, from a much shorter period of use.· The dorsal arm spines are the longest nearly two arm segments in length, the ventral arm spines are much shorter.· Five hours is much shorter than normal Voice over Cotwold Council officers say they're not running a vendetta against the Hintons.
· Schools Specialised buildings for the education of children have a relatively short history in Britain.· Thus the bulk of Laurentia came together in the relatively short time span of 150 million years.· On the whole, though, relatively short sentences offer the advantage of helping you to keep your writing clear and understandable.· Most of those are autopsied and then released to a mortuary in a relatively short period of time.· Even those with relatively short memories in either country should be aware of that.· During the relatively short treatment, the therapist helped the patient to begin discussing her feelings with her family.· Successes such as this suggest that remedial actions are feasible and can bring beneficial effects in a relatively short time.
· How could she have possibly imagined how dramatically her feelings towards him would have changed in so short a time?· Graham complains that some sound bites that survived the editing process were so short as to defy understanding.· Was it because he had no hope that he had lasted so short a time?· Kenny, this is so short!· Life is so, so short.· The fish feed in the breakers, so shorter casts work better.· No wonder the days were so short and the nights so long.· Since money is so short she has gone by herself most of the time.
· Life, for me, is certainly not too short to stuff a mushroom.· Was hope in too short supply in our home?· However, notice which is too short is unlikely to comply with the underlying spirit of the Rule.· Each of our thoughts is too short.· But study stints that are too short will merely increase your anxiety.· And often the time allotted is too short for fluency.· Life is too short to continue hating anyone for a long time.· No one is ever going to tell you that a proposal is too long or too short.
· The stone fell very short, landing not far from his hiding-place.· One year is a very short time.· She was given a very short expectation of life by the doctors.· Phone conversations should be very short.· It is a very short leap from euphoria to despair and back again.· After a very short time, potassium diffuses out of the cell and the previous electrical situation is restored - repolarisation.· I stayed with Venturous throughout the seventies with the occasional trip on Valiant and a very short period on Vigilant.· But very short time limits may be vulnerable under the principle.
NOUN· That short answer gives rise to two further questions.· The short answer is yes, some but not nearly enough.· The short answer to that is that we don't know.· A well-structured short answer is better than a weakly-structured long answer.· A: The short answer is no.· Well, the short answer to this comes in one word, experience.· The short answer is that nobody knows.
· The project's residential workers are not qualified therapists, though many have received external training on short courses.· I receive a short course in geophysics, punctuated by the tectonic lessons of the region through which we are driving.· For external short courses we are concerned to get value for money.· Special short courses are available in July and August.· You may find it helpful to take a short course on managing continence.· Books and short courses can provide you with more ideas.· For dairy farmers shorter courses were run but travel could still be considerable and some found it very difficult to attend.· This can be fulfilled mainly by attendance at short courses, conferences and lectures.
· Moral: minor roads are only a short cut if you know where you are!· Oncoming bikers seemed intent on taking the short cut up and over the Aussie's Nissan.· Cars daren't risk taking the short cut.· Pen Lane, now widened for parking, was one of the original short cuts around the church.· Under pressure, an advice worker may be tempted to take short cuts.· She took them by a short cut to the Weinbaum Canal.· She died because she took a short cut across waste ground even though she knew that the murderer was at large in that area.· In the pressure to get to the Moon by the end of the decade, management short cuts had been taken.
· They had then walked the short distance to Park Lane, her hand in the crook of James's arm.· A short distance away lay Emain Macha, royal seat of the hereditary kings of Ulster.· She walked the short distance to work, seeing nothing of the beauty of the day.· A short distance away was the overturned buggy, but there was no sign of either the horse or the Ellingwood5.· The vehicles will go through deep drifts for short distances when the momentum of the vehicle will carry it through.· The shortest distance between two points appeared to be a zigzag.· There are many social facilities available and also Farmoor reservoir only a short distance away.· As I approached Lovat and the two Officers, a shell burst a short distance away.
· No dinner is offered but there are many and varied eating establishments within a short drive.· The Greco-Roman ruins, a short drive away, were thronged, but this amplified, rather than diminished, our visit.· Unfortunately, this is not the case with many millions of people whose backache is worse after even a short drive.· The park, a short drive south of downtown, is open from late May to early October.· A short drive will take you to the Downs and Ashdown Forest.· Woodbridge is 10 minutes away, several other courses within a short drive.· It was a short drive from the city.
· Access to the dining room in the north-east corner of the main block was then made via a short flight of stairs.· He watches four men trying to drag a doorless refrigerator up the short flight of steps into the band shell.· Those who do not fancy long haul can share short flights between two or three budding pilots.· It was a short flight, only a hundred miles.· Both Langkawi and Kuantan are reached by short flights.· Frankie stared towards the shorter flight of steps leading to the landing.· They sat on stubby pillars at the bottom of a short flight of steps leading to the parade square.· The upper-level dining gallery and sitting-room are reached from the living-room via short flight of open-riser timber stairs.
· A medallion in Hughes Hall portrays her with short hair, an aquiline nose, and a determined chin.· To this day, I believe the only thing that saved him from a beating was his short hair.· The wind was blowing over the top of Jinny's head, fluttering the loose, short hairs round her forehead.· He is tall, a marathoner, with salt-and-pepper short hair.· If you get in a fight, short hair is an advantage since your opponent can not grasp it.· She ran her hands through her short hair.· You've got short hair, you've got a moustache now, and you wear glasses.· It is useful for short hair, and can be fingered in wherever you need it.
· The courageous two-year-old has spent all his short life in hospital.· He was dreaming; maybe it was the way he would dream for the rest of his short life.· Evidence suggests that shrews probably have the shortest lives.· Jessica Dubroff developed a passion for airplanes and horses in her short life.· Newspapers, toilet paper or tissues are all short life items which could be made from recycled reserves.· In his short life, he had been a paratrooper and a physician, specializing in infectious diseases.· Ricotta has a very short life and should be bought and used daily.· This means that the parasites live shorter lives and pass through more generations in a given time than their hosts.
· Readers at Borders Books shops helped to choose the short list.· The equity department was planning a boat trip to become further acquainted with the trainees on its short list.· By the end of 1981 Corby was chosen from a very short list of places.· It gave her a short list of problems and asked her to solve them.· The previous year, four of the six novels on the short list were about growing up in the Soviet era.· This year, six titles made the short list, out of 200 submitted.· Successive rounds of screening bring into play more criteria until the short list is reached.· After being selected from a short list of five people, I was finally not offered the position.
· Working conditions may not be up to much, and as a casual employee you can be fired at short notice.· His armour was piled not three yards away, arrayed ready to be donned at short notice.· They're also prepared to do the ground spraying on short notice.· When a march is organised at short notice, as much notice as practicable must be given.· Part C. A short notice teaching session - 20 minutes.· You have no idea how difficult it was to find a hundred overalls and hats at such short notice.· The Helsinki summit, arranged at very short notice, dealt almost exclusively with the specific issue of a major regional conflict.
· A piece of good news for Bill Clinton in Congress was followed, in short order, by the opposite.· We got to Pecos in short order and turned north for Carlsbad.· Collectively they squandered their pricing power in short order.· He gave me his curriculum vitae in short order.· It did, and in pretty short order.· But, in short order, Lott orchestrated deals on a range of stalled legislation, from welfare reform to health care.· A short order may be made, for example, to give a parent the opportunity to return to court with legal representation.· I charmed him in short order.
· In 1902 he lived for a short period in Clerkenwell, east London.· The necessary hours of light can not be replaced by more intensive light sources operating for a shorter period of time.· This will enable the distribution to be completed over a shorter period.· Generally, this condition persists for only a short period as the enzyme system usually becomes functional within several days after birth.· Occasionally, however, this current is displaced and a warm southward-flowing current prevails for short periods.· Affected fish are dipped in such a solution for a short period and then can be safely returned to the pool.· These have short periods, from a few days to a few weeks.· Those with the longer periods received higher payments than those with shorter periods and were more likely to have retired early.
· The Helblaster has a strength of 5 at short range and 4 at long range.· Most significantly in the short range, it could leave 49ers' offensive tackle Steve Wallace twisting in the wind.· Morris claimed the third from short range.· Normal saving throw modifiers apply: -2 at short range and -1 at long range.· The heavy armament comprised 1,000 artillery pieces, but many were obsolete or short range.· Viewed head-on from short range the animal is exceedingly hard to spot, provided it stands still.· Another situation where I have been prepared to use a tube stem is for short range drifting.· No need to be particularly careful at such short range.
· However, in the short run, numerous factors may operate to cause changes in supply.· Of course, IRAs cost the Treasury in the short run.· Governments, like theoretical economists, tend to be mainly concerned with the short run.· The Stanislaus River is dammed fourteen times on its short run to the sea.· Although this is the socially efficient output in the short run it is not efficient in the long run.· Restructuring will lead to declining continuity in the short run, even if improved organizational balance eventually develops.· This could follow if the capital goods producing industries faced capacity constraints in their attempt to raise output in the short run.· The problem worsens with the relentless financial pressures for immediate performance in the short run.
· Use short sentences to make your points clearly.· A proper language allows you to pack a lot of meaning into a short sentence.· Notoriously, he wrote in very short sentences.· These books contain short sentences, simple words, and repetitive phrases, designed for early readers.· Go through each group separately, thinking of two short sentences about each name in the group.· Hemingway's short sentences derive their power from their revolt against earlier, more discursive styles.· They will have to pass shorter sentences.· It is easier to think clearly with short sentences than long ones.
· Commanders who undervalued or ignored Ultra get short shrift.· Therefore, any management book worthy of the name should have that as a pivotal issue, not give it short shrift.· I gave that idea short shrift.· The notion got short shrift in Washington.· Unfortunately the deeper issues surrounding the cloning of a human being have received short shrift or no attention at all.· And in government, accounting systems give the long term short shrift.· As we shall see later these sources often receive short shrift in many of the papers.· A lot of people are uncomfortable praising others; they give the good points short shrift.
· The shorts were pleated about the waist and flared widely, giving an illusion of being a too short skirt.· She was wearing a uniform with a very short skirt and a white col-lar and lapels.· I felt so cross with myself, so stupid for wearing a short skirt.· I didn't wear a short skirt for ages after that.
· Life, for the short space of a few weeks, was better than she had ever known it.· In fact it took them a very short space of time only three weeks to build the test raft ready to launch.· Within a short space I have been concerned to make two basic points in this chapter.· In such a short space of time, he had plunged from the pinnacle of success to the depths of defeat.· It is of course an impossible task to examine the record of Marxism in such a short space as I have available.· That was an extraordinarily fine achievement in such a short space of time.· I had to find out a lot of things about you in a short space of time.· The problem was more one of having to absorb a vast amount of information in a short space of time.
· A short spell of hard work in quiet surroundings would not be a bad thing.· No one will benefit from such a short spell.· We assumed that for each participant the occurrence of short spells followed a Poisson distribution.· Considerable excess residual variation was found in the rate of sickness absence for short spells.· Thus, an illness that tends to require frequent short spells in hospital will appear to have a high incidence.· Quiet at Bidford, but short spells of action with chub and roach around midday at Welford.· There were even short spells when I sculled without error, helping to create a reasonably smooth pattern with my illustrious partner.· This seems to happen after a short spell off road.
· During his short stay in Madeira, he was a great benefactor of the island.· Gandhi stayed in Champaran seven months, and returned for two shorter stays.· Very often they moved on again after a short stay, for they found that reality was harsher than their dreams.· They promised short stays, more contacts with the outside world and treatment that stressed returning children home whenever possible.· I went every day at the same time, in fact, over the period of my short stay.· Two troops deployed nearby to the west, awaiting a short stay at camp.· Anyway, her short stay on board had at least served some purpose.· Lamm also expects to spend some of his short stay in Silicon Valley chatting with potential donors.
· F fable A short story in prose or verse which is written so that a moral may be learnt from it.· In these short stories Asimov gives us an unforgettable and terrifying vision of the future.· James McMurtry is an unusual singer-songwriter, a gentle, thoughtful troubadour who writes songs that unfold like short stories.· What they do have, though, is a literary tradition, which reveres the short story.· I wrote four or five fairly short stories a week.· Pandora also promote short story writers by publishing Storia, a twice-yearly short story magazine.· In this type of short story, large claims are made about the effect of the reading experience.
· We could only use candles it night if we were working, because they were in very short supply.· People embody intelligence, by far the most precious resource in the universe and one in terribly short supply.· Rural housing within reach of farm workers has come to be in even shorter supply.· Food was in such short supply that she was genuinely concerned that her two babies might get scurvy.· Here, where clean drinking water is in short supply, expensive drugs are beyond ordinary people's reach.· And it was true that accredited math teachers were in short supply.· And that's really the story for this afternoon, with sunshine in short supply.· The automaker was particularly vulnerable because it keeps only a short supply of extra parts to save costs.
· Fund raising campaigns are simpler to organise and sustain when they are short term sprints aimed at quickly achievable goals.· In the short term, the administration budget would produce lower payments by the government for each visit, the official predicted.· I've had a very short term contract for each show.· But they say that around £100 million is needed to ensure such projects are economically viable in the short term.· It seemed as if he received a shorter term in jail because he was a doctor.· You will be pleased to know that the discomfort is only short term and should not occur in the future.· In the short term the road to Nice has plenty of hurdles.· Even marriage into the royal family only assured such support in the short term.
· Sartori had disappeared a short time later.· As a result of her actions, Amelia became even more popular and within a short time was practically running Ogontz.· He stayed there only a short time before moving to Gloucestershire where he has been ever since.· Despite all the talk expected to come from both sides, they know they are operating in a short time frame.· Sekers Service Supreme Breaking all records, Sekers supplied a customer with specially woven cloth in an amazingly short time.· He passed me a short time ago.· To improve, she attended an art class in Sheffield for a short time.· I do not feel able to postpone an order for possession for more than a very short time indeed.
· I decide to go out for cigarettes; a short walk will do me good.· From La Fonda it was only a short walk to the Ernest Blumenschein house.· It is next to Friston Forest with its forest walks and picnic areas, and is a short walk from the sea.· The next day I left the house only once, for a short walk to the pond.· Compared to the previous day this is a short walk whether you choose the high or low route.· Afternoons ended at the Gundy, the school teahouse, a short walk up the hill.· The house is only a short walk from local shops and there are regular buses to the City Centre.· The coeducational school was just a short walk for all of them.
· On the day of the wedding, just for a short while, all strife was laid aside.· Just got here a short while ago.· Odd individuals kept swimming away, only to return a short while later.· The few dollars collected would help to maintain the cause, at least for a short while.· He went out and Sisteradmission-ward came in for a short while, and we reconstructed the story.· After a short while, Nelson reluctantly entered the testing room with the psychologist.· Sure enough, in a short while a girl called Mitti turned up.· When she returned a short while later, she found the 27-year-old Cosby fatally wounded.
· It is fair to warn anglers that thousands of crabs soon make short work of rag and lugworm.· Flexible and shorter work weeks are a win-win situation for both the employee and employer.· It made short work of our Windows performance tests, WinTach, clocking up an impressive index of over 9.3.· Use quotation marks around the names of short works such as newsletter articles.· Carmen would have made short work of Michael too.· In spite of the shorter work day, total production increased and hourly production increased dramatically.· Guernsey made short work of the opposition when they won the event on home soil in 1990.· The second game we pull away early and make short work of it.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► get/be given short shrift► have/get somebody by the short and curlies► be one ... short of a ...► give somebody short measurePHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► long-bodied/short-bodied etc► bring somebody up short/with a start► life’s too short► (since somebody was) in short pants► short-range plan/goal/forecast etc► long-stemmed/short-stemmed etc► to cut a long story short► in the long/short/medium term
- Frieder could have a glut of scholarships available on short notice.
- He was called in at short notice due to the unfortunate motor accident involving Design Director, Bill Naysmith.
- His armour was piled not three yards away, arrayed ready to be donned at short notice.
- I am very sorry to give you such short notice about this.
- Our entire Fleet had to prepare for sortie on such short notice.
- Part C. A short notice teaching session - 20 minutes.
- The registry office couldn't marry them at such short notice and they must wait until the following day.
- When a march is organised at short notice, as much notice as practicable must be given.
- These measures may save some money in the short term, but we'll just end up spending more later.
- Although those measures would cost money in the short term, Rep.
- Even marriage into the royal family only assured such support in the short term.
- Evidently not, in the short term, but in the long term Fangorn knows his race and story are sterile.
- Giving sanctuary to political asylum-seekers is seldom rewarded on earth, at least in the short term.
- He predicted more volatile dealings in the short run.
- The vocabulary of every language is so vast that there is no way to eliminate all such hazards in the short run.
- Which are the campaign promises that you believe you can deliver on in the short term?
- Bring any player back and he does not perform and people have short memories.
- Manufacturers have short memories, you know.
- Other strategies might be more forgiving and have shorter memories.
- Her name is Alex, short for Alexandra.
- Already as a consequence of the war, half the children up to five years are short for their age due to malnutrition.
- Chuck is short for Charlie, and Charlie is the old code name for a down-home white bigot.
- For now the nomads are surviving, but time most be short for them.
- He was short for his age and had little, sharp, ugly eyes.
- It is short for a par 5 but you soon realise why.
- He sleeps badly and is short of breath on exertion.
- Sorry I was short with you on the phone this morning.
- Farrar was short with livery lips and thick black eyebrows, and Something was prematurely bald and thought he was really cool.
- Hatching time is short with fry appearing after 24 to 30 hours, and growing rapidly when fed with rotifers.
- He was short with me, in fact.
- He was short with one blue-black hand and the other arm half gone, ended cleanly just below the elbow.
- No wonder he was short with me over the phone.
- Girls today sure have short fuses.
- Mrs Popple had long been known to have a short temper.
- First, I would strongly advise other CEOs to follow our experience because the results stood to be nothing short of spectacular.
- It is little short of tragic that she has been cut off, while still at the peak of her singing power.
- The 18 tracks of the new record are so dizzyingly dexterous, the live show should be nothing short of amazing.
- The city hopes to attract around 3.5 million visitors annually, but last year's figures were little short of disastrous.
- The quality of sound via these outputs is nothing short of amazing.
- The result is nothing short of brilliant and has met with raves in all the glossy industry mags.
- This is nothing short of a scandal.
- What they envision is nothing short of a new corporate structure, in which accounting and other functions are outsourced.
- Rose had drawn the short straw, and was thus forced to seek Lord Westbourne clasping the Romanov dagger.
- Carmen would have made short work of Michael too.
- Fourth placed Guisborough made short work of the opposition at Saltburn.
- Guernsey made short work of the opposition when they won the event on home soil in 1990.
- He made short work of the remainder of his lunch, pushed his chair from the table, and stood up.
- It is fair to warn anglers that thousands of crabs soon make short work of rag and lugworm.
- It made short work of our Windows performance tests, WinTach, clocking up an impressive index of over 9.3.
- The second game we pull away early and make short work of it.
- These cannibalistic tadpoles make short work of one of their siblings.
- Employees may try working at the new location for a short time and then decide not to continue.
- In this way a carcass can draw vultures from far away in a short time.
- Just a short time ago the forest was impenetrable ... and safe.
- Now that he's on short time he's doing more round the house.
- One year is a very short time.
- Police arrested a male juvenile a short time later.
- The forest has reclaimed the fields even in this short time since I was last there.
- The bombers destroyed the enemy's camp in short order.
- A piece of good news for Bill Clinton in Congress was followed, in short order, by the opposite.
- But, in short order, Lott orchestrated deals on a range of stalled legislation, from welfare reform to health care.
- Collectively they squandered their pricing power in short order.
- He gave me his curriculum vitae in short order.
- I charmed him in short order.
- Sun Microsystems Inc will make it available for all Sparc systems in short order.
- They would be attacked in short order and possibly even killed.
- We got to Pecos in short order and turned north for Carlsbad.
- Sometimes I think he's a little short on common sense.
- Before Diller came in, they were short on cash and needed to get a product out fast.
- If your company is short on cash, it becomes very tempting not to remit these taxes.
- It might be short on intrigue and backstabbing but it would move at a cracking pace.
- It was short on ice and long on scotch.
- Seeking clarification from one who should know, we are told that Mr Smith is short on pessimism.
- The hospital was short on nurses.
- Useful vegetarian cafe to know about, as the area is short on cheap options.
- His death at the age of 38 cut short a brilliant career.
- The ten-day mission was cut short when one of the shuttle's navigation devices failed.
- I tried to explain but she cut me short.
- I was halfway through my explanation when Walter cut me short.
- I was a waitress in a bar and he was one of my customers, and that, to cut a long story short, is how we met.
- I'm only here because I drew the short straw.
- Rose had drawn the short straw, and was thus forced to seek Lord Westbourne clasping the Romanov dagger.
- The results fell far short of our expectations.
- Anything less than this is a measure of the extent to which the research falls short of scientific standards.
- By 1951 the Labour government had built 900,000 houses, falling short of its target of 240,000 dwellings a year.
- Even in the best of years, Journal news coverage inevitably falls short of perfection.
- On the other hand, if the firm falls short of covering its fixed costs, a loss will be incurred.
- Reality has a way of falling short of the ideal.
- The results fell short of eight analysts' forecasts of profit between 130 million and 127 million pounds.
- The trainers suggest that, as guards, they fell short of expectations.
- And you don't fool with those because things are on a shorter fuse in Beirut.
- Every nerve smouldered on a short fuse.
- She was standing there crammed full of enthusiasm and energy like a bomb on a short fuse.
- Tom's a chap with a temper on a short fuse anyway.
- Wright has a short fuse, and without the goals going in his situation is worsening.
- You may find your temper on a short fuse when confronting your child or teenager for the umpteenth time.
- The long and short of it is that I had too much to drink and said something I shouldn't have.
- There you are, the long and the short of it.
- Both players pulled out of the competition yesterday at short notice.
- Occasionally, tours may have to be cancelled at short notice.
- One of the players dropped out at short notice.
- He was called in at short notice due to the unfortunate motor accident involving Design Director, Bill Naysmith.
- Many laboratories have cooperated at short notice and are analysing large numbers of samples.
- Many of the more glamorous film and photographic opportunities crop up at short notice, so you have to be flexible.
- Occasionally tours may be cancelled at short notice owing to circumstances beyond our control.
- The landlord could also terminate the arrangements at short notice.
- There is an aversion to holding meetings at short notice with a diminished complement.
- These alternatives will not always be available at short notice but it might be possible to plan for them.
- Working conditions may not be up to much, and as a casual employee you can be fired at short notice.
- Although this is the socially efficient output in the short run it is not efficient in the long run.
- He predicted more volatile dealings in the short run.
- However, in the short run, numerous factors may operate to cause changes in supply.
- It showed the company that Orrick was willing to make a commitment to them by losing some money in the short run.
- Of course, IRAs cost the Treasury in the short run.
- The problem worsens with the relentless financial pressures for immediate performance in the short run.
- The recipients did not, and in the short run simply could not, spend the majority of their extra revenue.
- This could follow if the capital goods producing industries faced capacity constraints in their attempt to raise output in the short run.
- Don't sell this guy short - there's more to him than just good looks.
- I had to find out a lot of things about you in a short space of time.
- In old age several major losses may occur within a short space of time.
- In such a short space of time, he had plunged from the pinnacle of success to the depths of defeat.
- Just how much things can change in a short space of time.
- Still, he had been knocked out twice in a short space of time and would appreciate some rest.
- That was an extraordinarily fine achievement in such a short space of time.
- The problem is getting the material under control in order to reach ambitious learning goals in a short space of time.
- The problem was more one of having to absorb a vast amount of information in a short space of time.
- Shepherd stopped short of calling him a liar.
- Doctors stop short of saying the disease is always fatal, but medical literature paints a bleak picture.
- Eric Gray charged back up the court before stopping short of the center line.
- Even if it stops short of this extreme, retroactive cost justification is largely ineffective.
- He stopped short of making recommendations about weapons programs in his 90-minute meeting at the White House.
- I know people who would maim and yet stop short of murder.
- In fact, no general pattern is discernible, except that almost all stop short of full accountability to Parliament.
- Yet the argument against Ashdown's triumphalism has to stop short of encouraging the same fatal hubris among Labour politicians.
- But she made light work of polishing off the shopping at a supermarket near her West London home.
- Carmen would have made short work of Michael too.
- Fourth placed Guisborough made short work of the opposition at Saltburn.
- Guernsey made short work of the opposition when they won the event on home soil in 1990.
- It is fair to warn anglers that thousands of crabs soon make short work of rag and lugworm.
- It made short work of our Windows performance tests, WinTach, clocking up an impressive index of over 9.3.
- The second game we pull away early and make short work of it.
- Willie Thorne made light work of the promising Nottinghamshire youngster, Anthony Hamilton, as he eased into the last 16.
- An outside problem can sometimes be helped by, say, more flexible working hours and so be resolved at management level.
- Earnings might vary because of piece-work, overtime or short-time working.
- Flexible Hours Question: Has consideration been given to the introduction of flexible working hours?
- Meanwhile, solicitors were last week urged to consider flexible working for staff in line with the government's family friendly policies.
- Recruitment procedures focus on individual skills and potential for flexible working.
- Through grants to local authorities, we are financing schemes to introduce more flexible working practices - such as job sharing.
- Vauxhall bosses admit that the threat of short-time working at Ellesmere Port still remains a possibility.
- Wage freezes have been brought in across most of the company and some short-time working introduced.
WORD FAMILYnounshortshortageshortnessshortsshortyverbshortenshortadverbshortshortlyadjectiveshort
1time happening or continuing for only a little time or for less time than usual OPP long: a short meeting Morris gave a short laugh. a short course on business English Winter is coming and the days are getting shorter. I’ve only been in Brisbane a short time. For a short while (=a short time), the city functioned as the region’s capital. I learned a lot during my short period as a junior reporter. Germany achieved spectacular economic success in a relatively short period of time. They met and married within a short space of time. I promise to keep the meeting short and sweet (=short in a way that is good, especially not talking for a long time). For a few short weeks (=they seemed to pass very quickly), the sun shone and the fields turned gold.2length/distance measuring a small amount in length or distance OPP long: a short skirt Anita had her hair cut short. They went by the shortest route, across the fields. Carol’s office was only a short distance away, and she decided that she would walk there.a short walk/flight/drive It’s a short drive to the airport. The hotel is only a short walk from the beach.3not tall someone who is short is not as tall as most people OPP tall: a short plump woman Chris was short and stocky, with broad shoulders. He’s a bit shorter than me.4book/letter a book, letter etc that is short does not have many words or pages OPP long: a short novel I wrote a short note to explain. → short story5not enough a)if you are short of something, you do not have enough of itbe short (of something) Can you lend me a couple of dollars? I’m a little short.be short of money/cash/funds Our libraries are short of funds.be 5p/$10 etc short Have you all paid me? I’m about £9 short.I’m a bit short British English spoken (=I haven’t got much money at the moment)somebody is not short of something British English (=they have a lot of it) Your little girl’s not short of confidence, is she? They’re not short of a few bob (=they are rich). b)if something is short, there is not enough of it: Money was short in those days. It’s going to be difficult – time is short. Gasoline was in short supply (=not enough of it was available) after the war.6be short on something to have less of something than you should have: He’s a nice guy, but a little short on brains. The president’s speech was long on colorful phrases but short on solutions.7less than a little less than a numbershort of Her time was only two seconds short of the world record.just/a little short of something She was just short of six feet tall.8short notice if something is short notice, you are told about it only a short time before it happens: I can’t make it Friday. It’s very short notice.at short notice British English, on short notice American English The party was arranged at short notice.9in the short term/run during the period of time that is not very far into the future: These measures may save money in the short term, but we’ll end up spending more later.10have a short memory if someone has a short memory, they soon forget something that has happened: Voters have very short memories.11be short for something to be a shorter way of saying a name: Her name is Alex, short for Alexandra.12be short of breath to be unable to breathe easily, especially because you are unhealthy: He couldn’t walk far without getting short of breath.13be short with somebody to speak to someone using very few words, in a way that seems rude or unfriendly: Sorry I was short with you on the phone this morning.14have a short temper/fuse to get angry very easily: Mr Yanto, who had a very short fuse, told her to get out.15get/be given short shrift if you or your idea, suggestion etc is given short shrift, you are told immediately that you are wrong and are not given any attention or sympathy: McLaren got short shrift from all the record companies when he first presented his new band to them in 1976.16be nothing/little short of something used to emphasize that something is very good, very surprising etc: Her recovery seemed nothing short of a miracle. The results are little short of astonishing.17draw/get the short straw to be given something difficult or unpleasant to do, especially when other people have been given something better: Giles drew the short straw, and has to give us a talk this morning.18make short work of (doing) something to finish something quickly and easily, especially food or a job: The kids made short work of the sandwiches. Computers can make short work of complex calculations.19have/get somebody by the short and curlies (also have/get somebody by the short hairs) British English informal not polite to put someone in a situation in which they are forced to do or accept what you want: · I signed the contract – they’ve got me by the short and curlies.20be one ... short of a ... spoken used humorously to say that someone is a little crazy or stupid: Lady, are you a few aces short of a deck? He’s one sandwich short of a picnic.21short time British English when workers work for fewer hours than usual, because the company cannot afford to pay them their full wage: Most of the workers were put on short time.22in short order formal in a short time and without delay23give somebody short measure British English old-fashioned to give someone less than the correct amount of something, especially in a shop24sound technical a short vowel is pronounced quickly without being emphasized, for example the sound of a in ‘cat’, e in ‘bet’, and i in ‘bit’ OPP long—shortness noun [uncountable]: He was suffering from shortness of breath. Shirley was very conscious of her shortness and always wore high heels. → life’s too short at life(27)GRAMMAR: Order of adjectivesIf there is more than one adjective, the adjectives are usually used in a fixed order.You say: · I bought a beautiful short dress. ✗Don’t say: I bought a short beautiful dress.You say: · She has short black hair. ✗Don’t say: She has black short hair.Grammar guide ‒ ADJECTIVESTHESAURUStimeshort not long: · I lived in Tokyo for a short time.· Smokers have a shorter life expectancy than non-smokers.brief especially written lasting only for a short time. Brief is more formal than short, and is used especially in written English: · The president will make a brief visit to Seattle today.· He coached Hingis for a brief period in the 1990s.quick [only before noun] taking a short time to do something: · I had a quick look at the map.· He had a quick shower and then went out.short-lived lasting only for a short time – used especially when someone wishes that a good situation had been able to last for longer: · short-lived success· The ceasefire was short-lived.· a short-lived romance· short-lived optimism about the economyfleeting lasting only for an extremely short time – used especially when someone wishes that something had been able to last for longer: · a fleeting visit· a fleeting smile· She caught a fleeting glimpse of him.· a fleeting moment of happiness· a fleeting thoughtmomentary lasting for a very short time – used especially about feelings or pauses: · There was a momentary pause in the conversation.· The momentary panic ended when he found his two-year-old son waiting happily outside the store.passing [only before noun] lasting only for a short time – used especially when people are only interested in something or mention something for a short time: · passing fashions· He made only a passing reference to war.· It’s just a passing phase (=it will end soon).ephemeral formal lasting only for a short time, and ending quickly like everything else in this world: · Beauty is ephemeral.· the ephemeral nature of our existence· His wealth proved to be ephemeral.personshort someone who is short is not as tall as most people: · He was a short fat man.not very tall quite short. This phrase sounds more gentle than saying that someone is short: · She wasn’t very tall – maybe about 1.60 m.small short and with a small body: · My mother was a small woman.· The girl was quite small for her age (=smaller than other girls of the same age).petite used about a woman who is attractively short and thin: · She was a petite woman with blonde hair.stocky used about a boy or man who is short, heavy, and strong: · Harry was stocky and middle-aged.dumpy short and fat: · a dumpy girl with red hairdiminutive formal literary very short or small – used especially in descriptions in novels: · a diminutive figure dressed in blackstubby stubby fingers or toes are short and thick: · the baby’s stubby little fingersshort1 adjectiveshort2 nounshort3 adverbshort4 verb
shortshort2 ●●○ noun EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- There must be a short in the system.
- He jerked down his shorts, and sat with legs spread on the edge of a slope-backed chair.
- He smiled, taking in Willie's crumpled grey shorts and jersey.
- He was pale; the portion of his legs between his socks and shorts was white.
- I sat on the rocky slope above Gay Acres, not wanting to stain my white shorts on the grass.
- Joe explained that oversized jeans were necessary to showcase wildly patterned boxer shorts.
- The odd thing is that it isn't the big chaps in shorts who are under fire.
THESAURUS
especially British English, movie especially American English a series of images that tell a story and are shown in a cinema or on television: · What’s your favourite movie?· It won the award for best foreign film.· a made-for-TV movie
formal (also picture) a film – used especially by people who make films or by critics: · a major Hollywood motion picture· Tell us about your latest picture.
informal a very successful film: · Steven Spielberg’s latest Hollywood blockbuster
informal a film – a very informal use: · an action flick
a film that gives detailed information and facts about a particular subject: · a documentary on the rain forest
a film made to be shown in cinemas: · The book was later made into a full-length feature film starring Sean Penn.
a film intended to make people laugh: · Monroe appeared in a number of comedies.
(also romcom British English informal) a film about two people who are in love, which is intended to make the people who watch it feel happy: · ‘Notting Hill’ is a romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.
an exciting film, especially about murder or serious crimes: · ‘The Birds’ is a classic Hitchcock thriller.
a film that shows strong feelings of fear or evil and whose characters are often immoral, or these films in general: · ‘The Big Sleep’ is a classic Hollywood film noir.
a film that has lots of fighting, explosions etc: · Stallone’s latest action movie
a frightening film about ghosts, murders etc: · She loves watching old horror movies.
a film with cowboys in it: · John Wayne is famous for making westerns.
(also sci-fi film/movie informal) a film about imaginary events in the future or in outer space: · ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ is probably the most famous sci-fi movie ever made.
a film about violent criminals
an old film without any sound: · The 1920s were the golden age of silent movies.
a film made by a small film company
a film with characters that are drawn or made using a computer: · One of his first animated films was ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’.
a type of Japanese animated film, which often has a science fiction story: · Miyazaki’s anime film ‘Spirited Away’ became an international success.· an anime character
the use of computers to create characters and images in a film: · The film uses CGI.· Disney’s latest CGI movie
a short film, usually shown before a longer movie in the cinema: · an animated short
a series of short scenes from a film or programme, shown in order to advertise it in a cinema, on television etc: · We had to sit through all the trailers.
Longman Language Activatorshort in length or distance if something is short , there is only a small length or distance from one end of it to the other: · These curtains are much too short.· She has short curly hair and wears glasses.· a short-sleeved T-shirt· You look different - your hair's shorter.· The hotel is just a short distance from the station.· Chris went for a short walk to clear his head.short cut (=a shorter, and therefore quicker, way of getting to a place): · Sandy took a short cut home.· Do you know any short cuts to the hospital?
body parts that are stubby or stumpy are short and thick: · Pheasants have short stubby wings which enable them to fly very fast and low.· a fat little boy with stumpy legs
when something you say or write is short a short piece of writing or speech does not have many pages or words: · Graham made a short speech of thanks after the ceremony.· a book of short stories· The chapters are really short, so I read a couple every night.· We had a short pep talk from the coach before the game.· Please write a short paragraph explaining your reasons for applying to this college.
a brief note, description, remark etc uses very few words and gives very few details: · The book begins with a brief outline of the history of modern China.· We just have to write a very brief piece on what we did in the vacation.· There was a brief note with the flowers.
short and clear, and with no unnecessary words: · Saussure expressed his arguments in a concise and logical way.· Sergeant Hanks gave us concise, sensible instructions.clear and concise: · Make sure that your answers are as clear and concise as possible.
formal expressing something well but with very few words: · The new labelling is more succinct and advises consumers simply that oat bran may help prevent heart disease.
to make something shorter to make something shorter, especially by removing part of it: · I heard she had an operation to shorten her nose.· You can improve your writing just by shortening some of these long sentences.· It costs £12 to get trousers shortened.· This essay's still too long, I'll have to shorten it by a couple of thousand words.shorten something to something: · His name's Lawrence, but it's usually shortened to Larry.
to make something shorter, especially by removing part of it: · You could make your speech shorter by taking out all the quotations.make something one metre/two centimetres etc shorter: · Engineers have removed a section of the pipeline, making it about a hundred metres shorter.
to make a film or piece of writing shorter by removing parts from it: · Even after it had been cut, the film was still over three hours long.· I had to cut huge chunks out to get this essay to the right length.cut something from something: · It's so difficult to cut even a couple of scenes from a play without losing some of the story.
to make a piece of writing shorter by removing parts of it completely: cut something down: · The introduction's too long. Can you try and cut it down?· Did you have to cut your dissertation down?cut down something: · They want me to cut down my article so that it'll all fit onto one page.
to shorten something spoken or written, by not giving as much detail, or by using fewer words to give the same information: · I'd like to condense that statement still further.condense something into something: · Hawkins condensed all his writings into one volume for publication.· How could he condense all he had lived through into a sixty-minute speech?
when a book or piece of writing has been made shorter: shortened version (of something) · This chapter is a shortened version of a paper that was written in 1977.· a shortened version of the Jewish creedin (a) shortened form · The book contains many of the most popular stories from the Bible in shortened form.
: abridged version/edition/account (of something) a shortened version of a piece of writing or speech, which keeps its basic structure and meaning: · The following article is an abridged version of a speech given by Porter in May 2000.· The book is an abridged account of his experiences in India before Independence.
to say or write something using as few words as possible to say something using as few words as possible, because you do not have much time: · Lieutenant, I'll be brief and I'll be candid -- when do you plan to leave?· I'm sure you're all very busy, so I'll be brief.· I'll be as brief as possible so as not to waste your time.
informal to say or write something using as few words as possible: · I'll keep it short as I don't have much time.· Tell me, but keep it short, I'm in the middle of something.keep it short and sweet/short and simple: · Mr Chairman, I think I've got five minutes, so I'll keep it fairly short and sweet.
when a name or word is a shorter way of saying something · VHF is short for Very High Frequency.· 'Is "Shelley" short for anything?' 'Yes, my real name's Michelle.'· What's 'ISP' short for?
if a letter stands for a name or word, it is the first letter of that name or word: · 'What does "NAC" stand for?' 'National Aerobics Championships'.· On a US ship, you see 'USS', standing for 'United States Ship'.· The 'F' in 'John F Kennedy' stood for 'Fitzgerald'.
if you call someone or something a particular name for short , you call them by a name that is a shorter way of saying their real name: · Hi, my name's Moses -- Mo for short.· He's actually called Jeremy, but everyone who knows him calls him Jem for short.
to make a long name or word shorter so that it is easier to say or write: · Is it correct to abbreviate 'Avenue', 'Street' and so on when writing an address on an envelope?be abbreviated to something: · The word "kilogram' is usually abbreviated to "kg'.
a shorter way of saying a word or the name of something such as an organization or someone's job, especially by using the first letters of words instead of the whole words: · Disk Operating Systems are usually known by the abbreviation DOS.· a Dictionary of Acronyms and Abbreviations· I never knew the abbreviation 'GI' stood for 'Government Issue'.abbreviation for: · BBC is an abbreviation for British Broadcasting Corporation.
not tall not as tall as most people: · 'What does she look like?' 'She's short and fat, with brown hair.'· a short, stocky man with powerful shoulders· Mr Haddad was several inches shorter than his wife.
fairly short: · She's not very tall - about 1.4 metres, I'd say.· Well, I'm not very tall and my legs are short, so I always had trouble in the hurdle race.
not as big or as tall as most people: · a small man in a dark suit· How come I always seem to go out with small men?· My sister's quite a bit smaller and slimmer than me.small for his/her age (=smaller than other children of the same age): · Bobby's small for his age, but he's perfectly healthy.
short and small, used especially to describe children or old people: · We saw a little old lady with a walking-stick.· Who's this little boy in the blue sweater?· I haven't seen one of those since I was a little girl.
a woman who is petite is attractively short and thin: · His wife was a petite dark-haired woman in her early thirties.
a man who is stocky is fairly short and looks heavy and often strong: · Brandon's quite stocky really, isn't he?· He's a big stocky bloke and he plays rugby.
short and fat, especially in an unattractive way: · The cook was short and squat, with thick eyebrows and a slight moustache.· a shabby, squat, balding man in an old raincoat
very short · A tiny old lady answered the door.· She's tiny, but she belts out these old blues songs like you wouldn't believe.· They look so funny together. She's really tiny and her husband's about six foot five.tiny little informal · She was holding a tiny little baby in her arms.
written unusually small and thin: · Peter was a shy, diminutive man who seldom said anything to anyone.· A diminutive figure appeared in the doorway.
a short time · Unfortunately, we could only spend a short time together.· The talk should only last a short time.in/within a short time · How did you manage to do all this in such a short time?· The police arrived within a very short time.a short time ago · Your friends left a short time ago.for a short time · I think he went to prison for a short time.
a short period of time, during or after which something happens: · It always takes a little while to get used to the climate.for a short/little while: · Bob's only worked here for a short while, about six months I think.a little while/a short while ago: · He died a little while ago.· She was in the papers a short while ago. after/in a little/short while: · If you take the pills now, your headache will go after a short while.· Don't start that now, it'll be time to go in a little while.
a very short time, no more than a few minutes: · Just a moment Susie, can I have a quick word with you?· Can I borrow your pen a minute?· Wait a minute, I'm nearly ready.a minute/moment ago: · Where's Charles gone? He was here a moment ago.for/in a minute/moment: · Sit down for a minute and rest your legs.· Mark should be back in a moment.· I'll be with you in a minute.
an extremely short time, no more than a few seconds: · Do you mind switching the telly on a second?· An instant later, she let out a piercing scream.· 'Yes,' she declared, without an instant's hesitation.· 'Have you finished writing?' 'No, hang on a second.'for a second/an instant: · Can I stop you there, just for a second?· Just hold that end for a second while I fix this to the wall.· Did her eyes flicker open for an instant?in a second/an instant: · Mr Smart's on the other line, can he call you back in a second?· We both fell asleep in an instant.
British spoken a short time, usually just a few minutes: · I waited, and a bit later the phone went again -- it was Bill.· Oh, wait a bit, can't you?after/for/in a bit: · I think I'll lie down for a bit.· 'Are you coming?' 'Yes, in a bit.'· After a bit, Bill had started to tire of her company.
continuing for only a short time continuing for only a short time: · The meeting was shorter than I'd expected.· the shortest day of the year· a short course in aromatherapy· It would have been better if they'd closed the road for a short period of time while the repairs were done.
a quick action takes only a very short time, because you are in a hurry: · I took a quick look at the map.· Do I have time for a quick shower before we go out?· She's going to give me a quick lesson on Feng Shui this afternoon. · Can I ask just one quick question?
a brief pause, visit etc is short, especially because there is not much time available: · It was impossible to see everything during our brief visit to Paris.· After a brief intermission, the performance continued.
if something does not take long , you do it and finish it in a short time: · Let me show you how to use the program -- it won't take long.not take long to do: · We'll have the chicken drumsticks - they won't take long to thaw.it doesn't take (somebody) long to do something: · It didn't take long to solve the problem.· It sure didn't take you long to smell the food!
something that is temporary is expected to continue for only a short time and will not be permanent: · The doctor says the swelling is just temporary and should go down in a few days.· a temporary driver's license· They're living in temporary accommodation at the moment.temporary workers/staff/job etc: · Demand for temporary workers continues to rise.· Ben's found a temporary job until November.
something that is short-lived ends sooner than you want it to - use this especially about a feeling or relationship: · They had a passionate but short-lived affair. · We were glad to be home, but our happiness was short-lived.· However, the President's popularity may prove to be short-lived.
: passing thought/interest/fashion/phase etc one that continues for a short time and then quickly disappears: · At the time, I didn't give Alison so much as a passing thought -- I had other things on my mind.· Most people take only a passing interest in their horoscope.· Whether this is just a passing fad or a lasting fashion trend, only time will tell.
formal continuing for only a short time - used especially in literature: · No dictionary can really capture something as fleeting and ephemeral as slang. · Hopes of political unity in the region have proved ephemeral.
what you say when you are going to summarize something use this at the beginning of a sentence when you are going to summarize what has been said, especially at the end of a speech: · To sum up, the jury found the wrong person guilty.· To summarize, Bremer is saying "you just have to trust me."· In summary, don't waste your money on this book.
use this when you are summarizing a situation or idea in a few words: · In a nutshell, the state government is expected to be $2 million in debt by the end of the year.· A study of women at work says, in a nutshell, that opportunities have opened up dramatically.put it in a nutshell: · Bob put it in a nutshell when he said the problems was essentially a lack of communication.
use this to say the most important point about a situation in a few words: · In short, the report says that more money should be spent on education.· In short, the better a parent you are during the first 18 years, the better friends you'll be later.
especially British /to make a long story short American say this when you want to finish a story quickly and only tell people the most important parts: · To make a long story short, Stephen had a fight with Paul and ended up in the hospital.· I was a waitress in a bar and he was one of my customers, and that, to cut a long story short, is how we met.
WORD SETSabsinth, nounalcohol, nounale, nounalehouse, nounaperitif, nounbaby milk, nounbar, nounbarfly, nounbarhop, verbbarkeeper, nounbarley wine, nounbarmaid, nounbarman, nounbartender, nounbeef tea, nounbeer, nounbenedictine, nounbeverage, nounbibulous, adjectivebistro, nounbitter, nounblack, adjectivebootleg, verbbooze, nounboozer, nounbooze-up, nounboozing, nounboozy, adjectivebottle, verbbouquet, nounbourbon, nounbrandy, nounbreathe, verbbrew, verbbrew, nounbrewer, nounbrewery, nounbroach, verbBuck's Fizz, nounburgundy, nounbuttermilk, nouncamomile, nouncappuccino, nouncarbonated, adjectivecask, nouncellar, nounchalice, nounchampagne, nounchampers, nounchar, nounchartreuse, nounchaser, nounChelsea bun, nounchocolate, nouncider, nounclaret, nounclub soda, nouncoaster, nounCoca-Cola, cocktail, nouncocktail lounge, nouncocktail shaker, nouncocktail stick, nouncocktail waitress, nouncocoa, nouncoffee, nouncoffee bar, nouncoffee bean, nouncoffee machine, nouncoffeemaker, nouncoffee mill, nouncognac, nouncola, nounconsommé, nouncordial, nouncork, nouncork, verbcorkage, nouncorked, adjectivecorkscrew, nouncorn whiskey, nouncrème de menthe, nouncup, nouncuppa, nouncuraçao, noundaiquiri, noundecaf, noundecaffeinated, adjectivedecanter, noundessert wine, noundipsomaniac, noundissipated, adjectivedissipation, noundissolute, adjectivedistiller, noundistillery, noundram, noundraught, noundregs, noundried milk, noundrink, verbdrink, noundrinkable, adjectivedrinking fountain, noundrinking-up time, noundrinking water, noundrinks machine, noundrinks party, noundrop, noundry, adjectiveDutch courage, nounespresso, nounethyl alcohol, nounferment, verbfinger, nounfizz, nounflat, adjectivefloat, nounfortified wine, nounfroth, nounfroth, verbfrothy, adjectivefull-cream, adjectiveGandT, noungassy, adjectivegin, noungin and tonic, nounginger ale, nounginger beer, nounglass, noungreen tea, noungrenadine, noungrog, noungumbo, nounhalf, nounhalf-and-half, nounhangover, nounhappy hour, nounhead, nounhighball, nounhip flask, nounhock, nounhogshead, nounhome brew, nounhooch, nounhot chocolate, nounice bucket, nounice cube, nounice water, nouninfuse, verbinfusion, nounintoxicant, nounintoxicating, adjectiveIrish coffee, nounjar, nounjigger, nounjuice, nounkeg, nounkirsch, nounlace, verblager, nounlandlord, nounlemon, nounlemonade, nounlicensed, adjectivelicensing laws, nounlight, adjectivelight ale, nounlimeade, nounliqueur, nounliquor, nounlite, adjectivelocal, nounlounge bar, nounMadeira, nounmagnum, nounmalt, nounmalted, nounmalt liquor, nounmaraschino, nounmargarita, nounMartini, nounmash, nounmature, adjectivemature, verbmead, nounmeasure, nounmellow, verbmilk, nounmilk shake, nounmilky, adjectivemineral water, nounmint julep, nounmix, verbmixer, nounmocha, nounmoonshine, nounmulled wine, nounneat, adjectivenectar, nounnightcap, nounnip, nounnoggin, nounnon-alcoholic, adjectiveoff-licence, nounopen bar, nounorangeade, nounouzo, nounpale ale, nounparalytic, adjectivepasteurized, adjectivepercolate, verbperk, verbperry, nounpick-me-up, nounpiña colada, nounpink gin, nounpint, nounplonk, nounpop, nounport, nounporter, nounprohibitionist, nounproof, nounpunch, nounquaff, verbrake, nounrat-arsed, adjectivered, nounrefill, nounrefreshment, nounretsina, nounring-pull, nounroot beer, nounrosé, nounrotgut, nounrum, nounrye, nounsake, nounsaloon, nounsangria, nounsarsaparilla, nounschnapps, nounScotch, nounscrewdriver, nounscrumpy, nounsediment, nounsemi-skimmed milk, nounshake, nounshaker, nounshandy, nounshebeen, nounsherry, nounshort, nounshot, nounsiphon, nounsix-pack, nounskimmed milk, nounslimline, adjectivesloe gin, nounslug, nounslush, nounsnifter, nounsoda, nounsoda siphon, nounsoda water, nounsoft drink, nounsparkling, adjectivespeakeasy, nounspike, verbspirit, nounsplash, nounspritzer, nounsquash, nounstein, nounstewed, adjectivestill, adjectivestill, nounstout, nounstraight, adjectivestraw, nounsundowner, nounsup, verbswig, verbswill, verbswizzle stick, nountab, nountable wine, nountall, adjectivetankard, nountavern, nountea, nounteabag, nounteahouse, nountea leaves, nountearoom, nountea shop, nountea urn, nountemperance, nountequila, nountied house, nountippler, nountoddy, nountonic, nountop-up, nountot, nounTurkish coffee, nountwo-percent milk, nounUHT milk, noununcork, verbvermouth, nounvintage, adjectivevintage, nounvintner, nounvodka, nounwater, verbwatering hole, nounweak, adjectivewet bar, nounwhisky, nounwhite, adjectivewine cooler, nounwrecked, adjectiveyeast, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Tom got a letter from him just a little while ago. Children often have a short attention span. a long trumpet blast There was a brief hiatus in the war. It’s just a short hop from Cleveland to Detroit. He was short on patience, but long on a sense of his own worth. We were on short rations (=given a smaller amount than usual). Carlos decided to take a short-cut home. She’s suffering from short-term memory loss. a short skirt and high heels a short-sleeved shirt Keep your answer short and snappy. We must have walked ten miles today. I walked all the way to San Rafael. Wait a little while before deciding.
· What follows is a short account of the legal procedure.
Tom got a letter from him just a little while ago. (=that you hope to achieve quickly)· The immediate aim is to develop the travel business.
(=used when giving a simple, honest, or direct answer to a difficult question)· ‘How does homeopathy work?’ ‘The short answer to this question is that we do not know how homeopathic remedies work.’
· Employing overseas nurses is only a short-term answer to the shortage.
Children often have a short attention span. a long trumpet blast· Shall we have a quick five-minute break?
(=be unable to breathe easily because you are ill, old etc)· Near the top of the mountain I started to feel short of breath.
· The home provides short-term care for elderly people.
· He became acting president in a brief ceremony yesterday.
· I did a short course on website design.
· There was a slight delay in the departure of the plane.
· There's only a brief description of the hotel on the Internet.
· I quickly walked the short distance to the car.
(=having an effect for a long or short time)· Many boxers suffer with the long-term effects of punches to the head.
· They were married last month after a short engagement.
· The band had rather a brief existence.· The show's existence was extremely short.
(=be worse that someone hoped or expected)· Our profits last year fell below expectations.
· I was very tired after the long flight.
(=that you hope to achieve after a short time)· Companies should not focus only on the short-term goal of profitability.
· These mowers only work efficiently on short grass.
· I like your hair when it’s short like that.
There was a brief hiatus in the war. It’s just a short hop from Cleveland to Detroit. (=not be as good as you think something should be)· In appearance, she fell somewhat short of his ideals.
· She nursed him through his long illness.· Arthur died following a short illness.
· A military attack may only have a short-term impact on terrorist activity.
(=one that will give you profit in a short time)· Interest rates will be cut on short-term investments.
· He let out a nervous little laugh.
· These flats are let on short leases to students.
· She was thrilled to get a long letter from her son.
· He read out a long list of errors.
(=to be paid back after a long/short time)· I intended the money as a short-term loan.
He was short on patience, but long on a sense of his own worth. (=your ability to remember things that you have just seen, heard, or done)· The drug can damage your short-term memory.
(=if you have a short memory, you soon forget things)· Voters have short memories.
· She left a short message on his answering machine.
(=it is extremely unexpected and you are very pleased about it)· What has happened is nothing short of a miracle.
· Her nails were short and uneven.
· A short nap may make you feel better.
(=without much time to prepare)· Thank you for coming to help at such short notice.
· "Well, that was a surprise," he said after a brief pause.
· He lived for a short period in Manchester.
We were on short rations (=given a smaller amount than usual).· He decided to stop and take a short rest.
· I climbed slowly aboard the bus for the long ride to Hawkesworth.
· We took the shortest route back to the hotel.
(=a short time in prison)· We’re hoping that he gets off with a light sentence.
Carlos decided to take a short-cut home. She’s suffering from short-term memory loss.· After a brief silence, Katherine nodded.
a short skirt and high heels· I always have a little sleep in the afternoon.
a short-sleeved shirt Keep your answer short and snappy.· The chairman opened the meeting with a brief speech.
· After a brief spell in a florist's shop, she became a hairdresser.
· Police last night issued a brief statement about the incident.
· No visa is required for short stays.
(=stop walking suddenly) Sally saw the ambulance and stopped short.
Sally saw the ambulance and stopped short.· He has published two collections of short stories.
· Its tail is short and pointed.
(=achieve less than you wanted to)· Car production at the plant has fallen short of its target by 5%.
(=likely to get angry very easily)· He’s got a quick temper, which gets him into trouble.
(=very stupid)
· A short time later, she heard him drive away.
· a short vacation at the beach
· Miss Russell was only able to pay a brief visit.
We must have walked ten miles today. I walked all the way to San Rafael.· The house is only a short walk from local shops.
· This total falls well short of the sum required.
Wait a little while before deciding.· a short word beginning with ‘d’ and ending with ‘g’
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· He dressed in baggy shorts and Hawaiian print shirts, but there was nothing relaxed about his working methods.· She wore a pair of baggy blue shorts and a U of M sweatshirt.· He started hinting at this: stood in the doorway in those baggy navy shorts of his, bowlegged.· Wu Tak Seng himself is sitting on a varnished wooden chair in his doorway, in singlet and baggy shorts.
· He was wearing black or navy blue shorts.· She wore a pair of baggy blue shorts and a U of M sweatshirt.· Two workers casually dressed in navy blue shorts and singlets were already in the process of unloading the unwieldy hospital bed.· I pointed to the blue shorts.
· Servants bow and scrape. Khaki shorts replaced by abrasive long trousers for the evening.· A guy in khaki shorts was carrying a video camera.· He rather looked like one of the comics on television who will always wear his khaki shorts half way to his ankles.· The Hong Kong police wore khaki shorts and stockings.· He wore a pair of khaki shorts and a faded blue shirt, with sandals on his feet.· A shaggy bearded bear of a man in a smock and khaki shorts.· Long, muscled legs were shown to full advantage by a pair of crisp khaki shorts.
· Players want longer shorts for practical reasons as much as anything and the nostalgic look is simply another trend.
· Prague was the last stadium where I wore conventional running shorts.· In moments he was kitted out in a singlet and a pair of running shorts.
· I looked up and saw Jamila hurrying towards me in black T-shirt and white shorts.· I sat on the rocky slope above Gay Acres, not wanting to stain my white shorts on the grass.· Top, from left: Red and white striped shorts £5.99, Hennes.· I shower in lukewarm water and decide on thick white running shorts and matching top which I put on in slow motion.· Hugh wore a pair of neat white shorts which made him look ready for tennis.· She wore white shorts and a blue blouse with white stars.
NOUN· He strips down to his T-shirt and striped boxer shorts.· Joe explained that oversized jeans were necessary to showcase wildly patterned boxer shorts.· With stars'n' stripes boxer shorts worn on the outside.· He dressed like a willful teenager, favoring jeans so tattered you could see his boxer shorts through them.· Standing over her is an overweight middle-aged man in a pair of paisley boxer shorts.· In his boxer shorts, wearing his glasses, Wyatt felt himself shaking.· But those boxer shorts were Calvin Klein and nearly new.· Can you imagine a male presenter wearing peek-a-boo boxer shorts showing more than a hint of his you-know-what?
VERB· She was dressed in white shorts, a pale jacket and flat shoes.· Two workers casually dressed in navy blue shorts and singlets were already in the process of unloading the unwieldy hospital bed.· He dressed in baggy shorts and Hawaiian print shirts, but there was nothing relaxed about his working methods.· She'd dressed for breakfast in shorts and T-shirt and it wasn't the ideal outfit for talking business with hotel managers.
· I saw young men with disheveled hair and shirts of all colors and hairy-legged youths wearing shorts.· Today, all-round utility player, Clive Smott, will wear the keepers' shorts even though Slack is two sizes bigger.· Heck, I wear tank tops and shorts all the time.· Prague was the last stadium where I wore conventional running shorts.· They wore shorts and halters, shirts and jeans.· The big question is: Will Dessie wear cycle shorts?· The bike agents have the same uniforms as other agents except that they wear shorts instead of pants.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► long-bodied/short-bodied etc► bring somebody up short/with a start► life’s too short► (since somebody was) in short pants► short-range plan/goal/forecast etc► long-stemmed/short-stemmed etc► to cut a long story short► in the long/short/medium term
- a pair of tennis shorts
- He came to the door in his shorts.
- In short, the better a parent you are during the first 18 years, the better friends you'll be later.
- In short, the project is just too expensive.
- In short, the report says that more money should be spent on education.
- He's actually called Jeremy, but everyone who knows him calls him Jem for short.
- Hi, my name's Moses -- Mo for short.
- His name's Maximilian, but we just call him Max for short.
- His death at the age of 38 cut short a brilliant career.
- The ten-day mission was cut short when one of the shuttle's navigation devices failed.
- I tried to explain but she cut me short.
- I was halfway through my explanation when Walter cut me short.
- I was a waitress in a bar and he was one of my customers, and that, to cut a long story short, is how we met.
- I'm only here because I drew the short straw.
- Rose had drawn the short straw, and was thus forced to seek Lord Westbourne clasping the Romanov dagger.
- The results fell far short of our expectations.
- Anything less than this is a measure of the extent to which the research falls short of scientific standards.
- By 1951 the Labour government had built 900,000 houses, falling short of its target of 240,000 dwellings a year.
- Even in the best of years, Journal news coverage inevitably falls short of perfection.
- On the other hand, if the firm falls short of covering its fixed costs, a loss will be incurred.
- Reality has a way of falling short of the ideal.
- The results fell short of eight analysts' forecasts of profit between 130 million and 127 million pounds.
- The trainers suggest that, as guards, they fell short of expectations.
- And you don't fool with those because things are on a shorter fuse in Beirut.
- Every nerve smouldered on a short fuse.
- She was standing there crammed full of enthusiasm and energy like a bomb on a short fuse.
- Tom's a chap with a temper on a short fuse anyway.
- Wright has a short fuse, and without the goals going in his situation is worsening.
- You may find your temper on a short fuse when confronting your child or teenager for the umpteenth time.
- The long and short of it is that I had too much to drink and said something I shouldn't have.
- There you are, the long and the short of it.
- Both players pulled out of the competition yesterday at short notice.
- Occasionally, tours may have to be cancelled at short notice.
- One of the players dropped out at short notice.
- He was called in at short notice due to the unfortunate motor accident involving Design Director, Bill Naysmith.
- Many laboratories have cooperated at short notice and are analysing large numbers of samples.
- Many of the more glamorous film and photographic opportunities crop up at short notice, so you have to be flexible.
- Occasionally tours may be cancelled at short notice owing to circumstances beyond our control.
- The landlord could also terminate the arrangements at short notice.
- There is an aversion to holding meetings at short notice with a diminished complement.
- These alternatives will not always be available at short notice but it might be possible to plan for them.
- Working conditions may not be up to much, and as a casual employee you can be fired at short notice.
- Although this is the socially efficient output in the short run it is not efficient in the long run.
- He predicted more volatile dealings in the short run.
- However, in the short run, numerous factors may operate to cause changes in supply.
- It showed the company that Orrick was willing to make a commitment to them by losing some money in the short run.
- Of course, IRAs cost the Treasury in the short run.
- The problem worsens with the relentless financial pressures for immediate performance in the short run.
- The recipients did not, and in the short run simply could not, spend the majority of their extra revenue.
- This could follow if the capital goods producing industries faced capacity constraints in their attempt to raise output in the short run.
- Don't sell this guy short - there's more to him than just good looks.
- I had to find out a lot of things about you in a short space of time.
- In old age several major losses may occur within a short space of time.
- In such a short space of time, he had plunged from the pinnacle of success to the depths of defeat.
- Just how much things can change in a short space of time.
- Still, he had been knocked out twice in a short space of time and would appreciate some rest.
- That was an extraordinarily fine achievement in such a short space of time.
- The problem is getting the material under control in order to reach ambitious learning goals in a short space of time.
- The problem was more one of having to absorb a vast amount of information in a short space of time.
- Shepherd stopped short of calling him a liar.
- Doctors stop short of saying the disease is always fatal, but medical literature paints a bleak picture.
- Eric Gray charged back up the court before stopping short of the center line.
- Even if it stops short of this extreme, retroactive cost justification is largely ineffective.
- He stopped short of making recommendations about weapons programs in his 90-minute meeting at the White House.
- I know people who would maim and yet stop short of murder.
- In fact, no general pattern is discernible, except that almost all stop short of full accountability to Parliament.
- Yet the argument against Ashdown's triumphalism has to stop short of encouraging the same fatal hubris among Labour politicians.
- But she made light work of polishing off the shopping at a supermarket near her West London home.
- Carmen would have made short work of Michael too.
- Fourth placed Guisborough made short work of the opposition at Saltburn.
- Guernsey made short work of the opposition when they won the event on home soil in 1990.
- It is fair to warn anglers that thousands of crabs soon make short work of rag and lugworm.
- It made short work of our Windows performance tests, WinTach, clocking up an impressive index of over 9.3.
- The second game we pull away early and make short work of it.
- Willie Thorne made light work of the promising Nottinghamshire youngster, Anthony Hamilton, as he eased into the last 16.
- An outside problem can sometimes be helped by, say, more flexible working hours and so be resolved at management level.
- Earnings might vary because of piece-work, overtime or short-time working.
- Flexible Hours Question: Has consideration been given to the introduction of flexible working hours?
- Meanwhile, solicitors were last week urged to consider flexible working for staff in line with the government's family friendly policies.
- Recruitment procedures focus on individual skills and potential for flexible working.
- Through grants to local authorities, we are financing schemes to introduce more flexible working practices - such as job sharing.
- Vauxhall bosses admit that the threat of short-time working at Ellesmere Port still remains a possibility.
- Wage freezes have been brought in across most of the company and some short-time working introduced.
WORD FAMILYnounshortshortageshortnessshortsshortyverbshortenshortadverbshortshortlyadjectiveshort
1shorts [plural] a)short trousers ending at or above the knees: a pair of shorts tourists in shorts and T-shirts → Bermuda shorts, cycling shorts b)especially American English men’s underwear with short legs: Craig was standing in the kitchen in his shorts. → boxer shorts, Jockey shorts2in short used when you want to give the main point of something: Carter hoped for greater trust between the two nations, more trade, more cultural exchanges – in short, a genuine peace.3for short used as a shorter way of saying a name: His name’s Maximilian, but we just call him Max for short.4[countable] informal a short film shown in the cinema► see thesaurus at movie5[countable] British English informal a strong alcoholic drink that is not beer or wine, drunk in a small glass SYN shot American English:
Do you fancy a short?6[countable] informal a short circuit: a short in the system → the long and the short of it at long1(10)short1 adjectiveshort2 nounshort3 adverbshort4 verb
shortshort3 ●○○ adverb EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Attempts to introduce drift-nets into neighbouring New Zealand waters were more short lived.
- Charles was short, heavyset, and forty-three years old.
- He had short black hair, a scruffy moustache and a pointed nose.
- It is the record of a glory that was short lived, but makes an illustrious event in Aarau's history.
Longman Language Activatorshort in length or distance
if something is short , there is only a small length or distance from one end of it to the other: · These curtains are much too short.· She has short curly hair and wears glasses.· a short-sleeved T-shirt· You look different - your hair's shorter.· The hotel is just a short distance from the station.· Chris went for a short walk to clear his head.short cut (=a shorter, and therefore quicker, way of getting to a place): · Sandy took a short cut home.· Do you know any short cuts to the hospital?
body parts that are stubby or stumpy are short and thick: · Pheasants have short stubby wings which enable them to fly very fast and low.· a fat little boy with stumpy legs
when something you say or write is short a short piece of writing or speech does not have many pages or words: · Graham made a short speech of thanks after the ceremony.· a book of short stories· The chapters are really short, so I read a couple every night.· We had a short pep talk from the coach before the game.· Please write a short paragraph explaining your reasons for applying to this college.
a brief note, description, remark etc uses very few words and gives very few details: · The book begins with a brief outline of the history of modern China.· We just have to write a very brief piece on what we did in the vacation.· There was a brief note with the flowers.
short and clear, and with no unnecessary words: · Saussure expressed his arguments in a concise and logical way.· Sergeant Hanks gave us concise, sensible instructions.clear and concise: · Make sure that your answers are as clear and concise as possible.
formal expressing something well but with very few words: · The new labelling is more succinct and advises consumers simply that oat bran may help prevent heart disease.
to make something shorter to make something shorter, especially by removing part of it: · I heard she had an operation to shorten her nose.· You can improve your writing just by shortening some of these long sentences.· It costs £12 to get trousers shortened.· This essay's still too long, I'll have to shorten it by a couple of thousand words.shorten something to something: · His name's Lawrence, but it's usually shortened to Larry.
to make something shorter, especially by removing part of it: · You could make your speech shorter by taking out all the quotations.make something one metre/two centimetres etc shorter: · Engineers have removed a section of the pipeline, making it about a hundred metres shorter.
to make a film or piece of writing shorter by removing parts from it: · Even after it had been cut, the film was still over three hours long.· I had to cut huge chunks out to get this essay to the right length.cut something from something: · It's so difficult to cut even a couple of scenes from a play without losing some of the story.
to make a piece of writing shorter by removing parts of it completely: cut something down: · The introduction's too long. Can you try and cut it down?· Did you have to cut your dissertation down?cut down something: · They want me to cut down my article so that it'll all fit onto one page.
to shorten something spoken or written, by not giving as much detail, or by using fewer words to give the same information: · I'd like to condense that statement still further.condense something into something: · Hawkins condensed all his writings into one volume for publication.· How could he condense all he had lived through into a sixty-minute speech?
when a book or piece of writing has been made shorter: shortened version (of something) · This chapter is a shortened version of a paper that was written in 1977.· a shortened version of the Jewish creedin (a) shortened form · The book contains many of the most popular stories from the Bible in shortened form.
: abridged version/edition/account (of something) a shortened version of a piece of writing or speech, which keeps its basic structure and meaning: · The following article is an abridged version of a speech given by Porter in May 2000.· The book is an abridged account of his experiences in India before Independence.
to say or write something using as few words as possible to say something using as few words as possible, because you do not have much time: · Lieutenant, I'll be brief and I'll be candid -- when do you plan to leave?· I'm sure you're all very busy, so I'll be brief.· I'll be as brief as possible so as not to waste your time.
informal to say or write something using as few words as possible: · I'll keep it short as I don't have much time.· Tell me, but keep it short, I'm in the middle of something.keep it short and sweet/short and simple: · Mr Chairman, I think I've got five minutes, so I'll keep it fairly short and sweet.
when a name or word is a shorter way of saying something · VHF is short for Very High Frequency.· 'Is "Shelley" short for anything?' 'Yes, my real name's Michelle.'· What's 'ISP' short for?
if a letter stands for a name or word, it is the first letter of that name or word: · 'What does "NAC" stand for?' 'National Aerobics Championships'.· On a US ship, you see 'USS', standing for 'United States Ship'.· The 'F' in 'John F Kennedy' stood for 'Fitzgerald'.
if you call someone or something a particular name for short , you call them by a name that is a shorter way of saying their real name: · Hi, my name's Moses -- Mo for short.· He's actually called Jeremy, but everyone who knows him calls him Jem for short.
to make a long name or word shorter so that it is easier to say or write: · Is it correct to abbreviate 'Avenue', 'Street' and so on when writing an address on an envelope?be abbreviated to something: · The word "kilogram' is usually abbreviated to "kg'.
a shorter way of saying a word or the name of something such as an organization or someone's job, especially by using the first letters of words instead of the whole words: · Disk Operating Systems are usually known by the abbreviation DOS.· a Dictionary of Acronyms and Abbreviations· I never knew the abbreviation 'GI' stood for 'Government Issue'.abbreviation for: · BBC is an abbreviation for British Broadcasting Corporation.
not tall not as tall as most people: · 'What does she look like?' 'She's short and fat, with brown hair.'· a short, stocky man with powerful shoulders· Mr Haddad was several inches shorter than his wife.
fairly short: · She's not very tall - about 1.4 metres, I'd say.· Well, I'm not very tall and my legs are short, so I always had trouble in the hurdle race.
not as big or as tall as most people: · a small man in a dark suit· How come I always seem to go out with small men?· My sister's quite a bit smaller and slimmer than me.small for his/her age (=smaller than other children of the same age): · Bobby's small for his age, but he's perfectly healthy.
short and small, used especially to describe children or old people: · We saw a little old lady with a walking-stick.· Who's this little boy in the blue sweater?· I haven't seen one of those since I was a little girl.
a woman who is petite is attractively short and thin: · His wife was a petite dark-haired woman in her early thirties.
a man who is stocky is fairly short and looks heavy and often strong: · Brandon's quite stocky really, isn't he?· He's a big stocky bloke and he plays rugby.
short and fat, especially in an unattractive way: · The cook was short and squat, with thick eyebrows and a slight moustache.· a shabby, squat, balding man in an old raincoat
very short · A tiny old lady answered the door.· She's tiny, but she belts out these old blues songs like you wouldn't believe.· They look so funny together. She's really tiny and her husband's about six foot five.tiny little informal · She was holding a tiny little baby in her arms.
written unusually small and thin: · Peter was a shy, diminutive man who seldom said anything to anyone.· A diminutive figure appeared in the doorway.
a short time · Unfortunately, we could only spend a short time together.· The talk should only last a short time.in/within a short time · How did you manage to do all this in such a short time?· The police arrived within a very short time.a short time ago · Your friends left a short time ago.for a short time · I think he went to prison for a short time.
a short period of time, during or after which something happens: · It always takes a little while to get used to the climate.for a short/little while: · Bob's only worked here for a short while, about six months I think.a little while/a short while ago: · He died a little while ago.· She was in the papers a short while ago. after/in a little/short while: · If you take the pills now, your headache will go after a short while.· Don't start that now, it'll be time to go in a little while.
a very short time, no more than a few minutes: · Just a moment Susie, can I have a quick word with you?· Can I borrow your pen a minute?· Wait a minute, I'm nearly ready.a minute/moment ago: · Where's Charles gone? He was here a moment ago.for/in a minute/moment: · Sit down for a minute and rest your legs.· Mark should be back in a moment.· I'll be with you in a minute.
an extremely short time, no more than a few seconds: · Do you mind switching the telly on a second?· An instant later, she let out a piercing scream.· 'Yes,' she declared, without an instant's hesitation.· 'Have you finished writing?' 'No, hang on a second.'for a second/an instant: · Can I stop you there, just for a second?· Just hold that end for a second while I fix this to the wall.· Did her eyes flicker open for an instant?in a second/an instant: · Mr Smart's on the other line, can he call you back in a second?· We both fell asleep in an instant.
British spoken a short time, usually just a few minutes: · I waited, and a bit later the phone went again -- it was Bill.· Oh, wait a bit, can't you?after/for/in a bit: · I think I'll lie down for a bit.· 'Are you coming?' 'Yes, in a bit.'· After a bit, Bill had started to tire of her company.
continuing for only a short time continuing for only a short time: · The meeting was shorter than I'd expected.· the shortest day of the year· a short course in aromatherapy· It would have been better if they'd closed the road for a short period of time while the repairs were done.
a quick action takes only a very short time, because you are in a hurry: · I took a quick look at the map.· Do I have time for a quick shower before we go out?· She's going to give me a quick lesson on Feng Shui this afternoon. · Can I ask just one quick question?
a brief pause, visit etc is short, especially because there is not much time available: · It was impossible to see everything during our brief visit to Paris.· After a brief intermission, the performance continued.
if something does not take long , you do it and finish it in a short time: · Let me show you how to use the program -- it won't take long.not take long to do: · We'll have the chicken drumsticks - they won't take long to thaw.it doesn't take (somebody) long to do something: · It didn't take long to solve the problem.· It sure didn't take you long to smell the food!
something that is temporary is expected to continue for only a short time and will not be permanent: · The doctor says the swelling is just temporary and should go down in a few days.· a temporary driver's license· They're living in temporary accommodation at the moment.temporary workers/staff/job etc: · Demand for temporary workers continues to rise.· Ben's found a temporary job until November.
something that is short-lived ends sooner than you want it to - use this especially about a feeling or relationship: · They had a passionate but short-lived affair. · We were glad to be home, but our happiness was short-lived.· However, the President's popularity may prove to be short-lived.
: passing thought/interest/fashion/phase etc one that continues for a short time and then quickly disappears: · At the time, I didn't give Alison so much as a passing thought -- I had other things on my mind.· Most people take only a passing interest in their horoscope.· Whether this is just a passing fad or a lasting fashion trend, only time will tell.
formal continuing for only a short time - used especially in literature: · No dictionary can really capture something as fleeting and ephemeral as slang. · Hopes of political unity in the region have proved ephemeral.
to be too modest to tell people that you are less good, skilful etc than you really are: · He puts himself down, but he's really very gifted.· You know you're a good teacher. Don't run yourself down all the time.
informal to not tell people enough about your skills, ability etc, especially in a situation where other people are deciding whether to offer you a job or choose you for something: · If you sell yourself short at the interview, you'll never get the job. Let them know how good you are.· You're brilliant at tennis - don't sell yourself short.
to believe that you are less clever, good, skilful etc than you really are: · Don't underestimate yourself -- you can easily win.· I think you underestimate yourself when you say you couldn't cope with a job like this.
what you say when you are going to summarize something use this at the beginning of a sentence when you are going to summarize what has been said, especially at the end of a speech: · To sum up, the jury found the wrong person guilty.· To summarize, Bremer is saying "you just have to trust me."· In summary, don't waste your money on this book.
use this when you are summarizing a situation or idea in a few words: · In a nutshell, the state government is expected to be $2 million in debt by the end of the year.· A study of women at work says, in a nutshell, that opportunities have opened up dramatically.put it in a nutshell: · Bob put it in a nutshell when he said the problems was essentially a lack of communication.
use this to say the most important point about a situation in a few words: · In short, the report says that more money should be spent on education.· In short, the better a parent you are during the first 18 years, the better friends you'll be later.
especially British /to make a long story short American say this when you want to finish a story quickly and only tell people the most important parts: · To make a long story short, Stephen had a fight with Paul and ended up in the hospital.· I was a waitress in a bar and he was one of my customers, and that, to cut a long story short, is how we met.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Shares in the company dropped 26p yesterday, as profits fell short of City expectations. The economy fell short of the Treasury’s target of 2% growth. Facilities in these schools fall far short of the standards required. One or two songs on the album are interesting, but most fall short of the mark (=are not good enough). Come on, time’s running short!COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Tom got a letter from him just a little while ago. Children often have a short attention span. a long trumpet blast There was a brief hiatus in the war. It’s just a short hop from Cleveland to Detroit. He was short on patience, but long on a sense of his own worth. We were on short rations (=given a smaller amount than usual). Carlos decided to take a short-cut home. She’s suffering from short-term memory loss. a short skirt and high heels a short-sleeved shirt Keep your answer short and snappy. We must have walked ten miles today. I walked all the way to San Rafael. Wait a little while before deciding.
Shares in the company dropped 26p yesterday, as profits fell short of City expectations. The economy fell short of the Treasury’s target of 2% growth. Facilities in these schools fall far short of the standards required. One or two songs on the album are interesting, but most fall short of the mark (=are not good enough). Come on, time’s running short!· What follows is a short account of the legal procedure.
Tom got a letter from him just a little while ago. (=that you hope to achieve quickly)· The immediate aim is to develop the travel business.
(=used when giving a simple, honest, or direct answer to a difficult question)· ‘How does homeopathy work?’ ‘The short answer to this question is that we do not know how homeopathic remedies work.’
· Employing overseas nurses is only a short-term answer to the shortage.
Children often have a short attention span. a long trumpet blast· Shall we have a quick five-minute break?
(=be unable to breathe easily because you are ill, old etc)· Near the top of the mountain I started to feel short of breath.
· The home provides short-term care for elderly people.
· He became acting president in a brief ceremony yesterday.
· I did a short course on website design.
· There was a slight delay in the departure of the plane.
· There's only a brief description of the hotel on the Internet.
· I quickly walked the short distance to the car.
(=having an effect for a long or short time)· Many boxers suffer with the long-term effects of punches to the head.
· They were married last month after a short engagement.
· The band had rather a brief existence.· The show's existence was extremely short.
(=be worse that someone hoped or expected)· Our profits last year fell below expectations.
· I was very tired after the long flight.
(=that you hope to achieve after a short time)· Companies should not focus only on the short-term goal of profitability.
· These mowers only work efficiently on short grass.
· I like your hair when it’s short like that.
There was a brief hiatus in the war. It’s just a short hop from Cleveland to Detroit. (=not be as good as you think something should be)· In appearance, she fell somewhat short of his ideals.
· She nursed him through his long illness.· Arthur died following a short illness.
· A military attack may only have a short-term impact on terrorist activity.
(=one that will give you profit in a short time)· Interest rates will be cut on short-term investments.
· He let out a nervous little laugh.
· These flats are let on short leases to students.
· She was thrilled to get a long letter from her son.
· He read out a long list of errors.
(=to be paid back after a long/short time)· I intended the money as a short-term loan.
He was short on patience, but long on a sense of his own worth. (=your ability to remember things that you have just seen, heard, or done)· The drug can damage your short-term memory.
(=if you have a short memory, you soon forget things)· Voters have short memories.
· She left a short message on his answering machine.
(=it is extremely unexpected and you are very pleased about it)· What has happened is nothing short of a miracle.
· Her nails were short and uneven.
· A short nap may make you feel better.
(=without much time to prepare)· Thank you for coming to help at such short notice.
· "Well, that was a surprise," he said after a brief pause.
· He lived for a short period in Manchester.
We were on short rations (=given a smaller amount than usual).· He decided to stop and take a short rest.
· I climbed slowly aboard the bus for the long ride to Hawkesworth.
· We took the shortest route back to the hotel.
(=a short time in prison)· We’re hoping that he gets off with a light sentence.
Carlos decided to take a short-cut home. She’s suffering from short-term memory loss.· After a brief silence, Katherine nodded.
a short skirt and high heels· I always have a little sleep in the afternoon.
a short-sleeved shirt Keep your answer short and snappy.· The chairman opened the meeting with a brief speech.
· After a brief spell in a florist's shop, she became a hairdresser.
· Police last night issued a brief statement about the incident.
· No visa is required for short stays.
(=stop walking suddenly) Sally saw the ambulance and stopped short.
Sally saw the ambulance and stopped short.· He has published two collections of short stories.
· Its tail is short and pointed.
(=achieve less than you wanted to)· Car production at the plant has fallen short of its target by 5%.
(=likely to get angry very easily)· He’s got a quick temper, which gets him into trouble.
(=very stupid)
· A short time later, she heard him drive away.
· a short vacation at the beach
· Miss Russell was only able to pay a brief visit.
We must have walked ten miles today. I walked all the way to San Rafael.· The house is only a short walk from local shops.
· This total falls well short of the sum required.
Wait a little while before deciding.· a short word beginning with ‘d’ and ending with ‘g’
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► cut somebody short► 3 metres/5 miles etc short of something► two weeks/a month etc short of something► be taken short/be caught shortPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► long-bodied/short-bodied etc► bring somebody up short/with a start► life’s too short► (since somebody was) in short pants► short-range plan/goal/forecast etc► long-stemmed/short-stemmed etc► to cut a long story short► in the long/short/medium term
- And his restless nature rendered him an artist whose greatness frequently was cut short by his lack of focus.
- Freire's experiment was cut short by a military coup, so it is difficult to judge the results.
- Further discussion is cut short by a bump that interposes a few bodies between us.
- He was missing two front teeth, and his hair was cut short in a burr.
- Hugh McPherson, alleges his Army career was cut short in retaliation for his thorough pursuit of the events.
- It printed prose and verse in broadside and chapbook form till its activities were cut short by the War.
- Then their wedding night in a luxury hotel was cut short at 6am - because of a fire alert.
- A moment later, realising she was teetering on the brink of self-pity, she brought herself up short.
- A moment later, though, and she was bringing herself up short.
- But Blue brings himself up short, realizing that they have nothing really to do with Black.
- However, never bring a preclear up short on this material.
- She has a red face and a manner that pulls people up short.
- This brings us up short at the outset of our study.
- Anything less than this is a measure of the extent to which the research falls short of scientific standards.
- By 1951 the Labour government had built 900,000 houses, falling short of its target of 240,000 dwellings a year.
- Even in the best of years, Journal news coverage inevitably falls short of perfection.
- On the other hand, if the firm falls short of covering its fixed costs, a loss will be incurred.
- Reality has a way of falling short of the ideal.
- The results fell short of eight analysts' forecasts of profit between 130 million and 127 million pounds.
- The trainers suggest that, as guards, they fell short of expectations.
- Short of selling the house, I don't know how we're going to get that amount of money.
- A pair to fit wellies which reach right up to the knee cost a penny short of a fiver.
- Apart from Ferkhan, everybody was short of food.
- Even in the best of years, Journal news coverage inevitably falls short of perfection.
- San Francisco may be running short of characters, but new communities pop up every day.
- That is nothing short of stupidity.
- The company said its earnings would fall short of previous expectations mainly because of lower earnings from its Gulf Printing unit.
- The House vote fell well short of the 291 required to override a veto.
- We've been to the state tournament four times, but we've come up short every time.
- He struck the ball tentatively, and it came up short.
- I went home, wanting to do something very special, but came up short.
- If we keep coming up short, tax the Patagonians.
- Judged by their own standards, they came up short.
- Kansas played well for 38 minutes but came up short in the end.
- Riley keeps coming up short, but insists on coming right back to pound the same hammer with the same nail.
- This analysis often reveals why some groups regularly succeed and others regularly come up short.
- We're so close to getting the job done, but we keep coming up short.
- But Jude is used to going short of beauty sleep-although it doesn't show.
- Debbie's husband would have cared if he had gone short, oh yes.
- More of the world-beating copies are on sale today in areas that went short.
- Since these are fairly cheap to buy and easy to prepare, the elderly rarely go short of them.
- So whether you're visiting Perth or Penzance, you need never go short of cash.
- That would make it extremely painful to have gone short of sterling in the past few days.
- The stroke went short and choppy.
- You haven't gone short of food, that's obvious.
- Let's go - time's running short.
- Many stores are running short on bottled water.
- Our supply of firewood was running short.
- As we are running short of time, let me end with one area where there is a clear divide.
- He was running short of petrol and that route offered him the chance to capture replenishments along the way.
- He was running short of time.
- Nevertheless, Baldwin felt his time was running short.
- San Francisco may be running short of characters, but new communities pop up every day.
- Still, time is running short.
- Time was running short for Lievin.
- Paula stopped just short of calling me a thief.
- But they have stopped short of rejecting the idea altogether.
- Doctors stop short of saying the disease is always fatal, but medical literature paints a bleak picture.
- Even then I stopped short of making a complaint.
- He believed in a kind of progressive development of forms, but like Forbes stopped short of an actual evolutionary theory.
- His passion has only just stopped short of writing a structural critique of the civil engineering faults at Valhalla.
- Wisely, perhaps, Marochnik stops short of drawing any dramatic conclusions, but two things are clear.
- Yet we stop short of analysing what it is.
- At the crest of the hill, she stopped short as she read a warning sign next to the trail.
- Both stop short of demanding censorship, though Mary Whitehouse is characteristically less tentative.
- Even then I stopped short of making a complaint.
- He believed in a kind of progressive development of forms, but like Forbes stopped short of an actual evolutionary theory.
- He reads a few lines and stops short.
- He stopped short of making recommendations about weapons programs in his 90-minute meeting at the White House.
- It goes without saying that all this stops short at the people, who have been abandoned to the authorities' exploitation.
- The door opened abruptly, and over Roman's shoulder Claudia saw Dana stop short in confusion.
- Wisely, perhaps, Marochnik stops short of drawing any dramatic conclusions, but two things are clear.
- His death at the age of 38 cut short a brilliant career.
- The ten-day mission was cut short when one of the shuttle's navigation devices failed.
- I tried to explain but she cut me short.
- I was halfway through my explanation when Walter cut me short.
- I was a waitress in a bar and he was one of my customers, and that, to cut a long story short, is how we met.
- I'm only here because I drew the short straw.
- Rose had drawn the short straw, and was thus forced to seek Lord Westbourne clasping the Romanov dagger.
- The results fell far short of our expectations.
- Anything less than this is a measure of the extent to which the research falls short of scientific standards.
- By 1951 the Labour government had built 900,000 houses, falling short of its target of 240,000 dwellings a year.
- Even in the best of years, Journal news coverage inevitably falls short of perfection.
- On the other hand, if the firm falls short of covering its fixed costs, a loss will be incurred.
- Reality has a way of falling short of the ideal.
- The results fell short of eight analysts' forecasts of profit between 130 million and 127 million pounds.
- The trainers suggest that, as guards, they fell short of expectations.
- And you don't fool with those because things are on a shorter fuse in Beirut.
- Every nerve smouldered on a short fuse.
- She was standing there crammed full of enthusiasm and energy like a bomb on a short fuse.
- Tom's a chap with a temper on a short fuse anyway.
- Wright has a short fuse, and without the goals going in his situation is worsening.
- You may find your temper on a short fuse when confronting your child or teenager for the umpteenth time.
- The long and short of it is that I had too much to drink and said something I shouldn't have.
- There you are, the long and the short of it.
- Both players pulled out of the competition yesterday at short notice.
- Occasionally, tours may have to be cancelled at short notice.
- One of the players dropped out at short notice.
- He was called in at short notice due to the unfortunate motor accident involving Design Director, Bill Naysmith.
- Many laboratories have cooperated at short notice and are analysing large numbers of samples.
- Many of the more glamorous film and photographic opportunities crop up at short notice, so you have to be flexible.
- Occasionally tours may be cancelled at short notice owing to circumstances beyond our control.
- The landlord could also terminate the arrangements at short notice.
- There is an aversion to holding meetings at short notice with a diminished complement.
- These alternatives will not always be available at short notice but it might be possible to plan for them.
- Working conditions may not be up to much, and as a casual employee you can be fired at short notice.
- Although this is the socially efficient output in the short run it is not efficient in the long run.
- He predicted more volatile dealings in the short run.
- However, in the short run, numerous factors may operate to cause changes in supply.
- It showed the company that Orrick was willing to make a commitment to them by losing some money in the short run.
- Of course, IRAs cost the Treasury in the short run.
- The problem worsens with the relentless financial pressures for immediate performance in the short run.
- The recipients did not, and in the short run simply could not, spend the majority of their extra revenue.
- This could follow if the capital goods producing industries faced capacity constraints in their attempt to raise output in the short run.
- Don't sell this guy short - there's more to him than just good looks.
- I had to find out a lot of things about you in a short space of time.
- In old age several major losses may occur within a short space of time.
- In such a short space of time, he had plunged from the pinnacle of success to the depths of defeat.
- Just how much things can change in a short space of time.
- Still, he had been knocked out twice in a short space of time and would appreciate some rest.
- That was an extraordinarily fine achievement in such a short space of time.
- The problem is getting the material under control in order to reach ambitious learning goals in a short space of time.
- The problem was more one of having to absorb a vast amount of information in a short space of time.
- Shepherd stopped short of calling him a liar.
- Doctors stop short of saying the disease is always fatal, but medical literature paints a bleak picture.
- Eric Gray charged back up the court before stopping short of the center line.
- Even if it stops short of this extreme, retroactive cost justification is largely ineffective.
- He stopped short of making recommendations about weapons programs in his 90-minute meeting at the White House.
- I know people who would maim and yet stop short of murder.
- In fact, no general pattern is discernible, except that almost all stop short of full accountability to Parliament.
- Yet the argument against Ashdown's triumphalism has to stop short of encouraging the same fatal hubris among Labour politicians.
- But she made light work of polishing off the shopping at a supermarket near her West London home.
- Carmen would have made short work of Michael too.
- Fourth placed Guisborough made short work of the opposition at Saltburn.
- Guernsey made short work of the opposition when they won the event on home soil in 1990.
- It is fair to warn anglers that thousands of crabs soon make short work of rag and lugworm.
- It made short work of our Windows performance tests, WinTach, clocking up an impressive index of over 9.3.
- The second game we pull away early and make short work of it.
- Willie Thorne made light work of the promising Nottinghamshire youngster, Anthony Hamilton, as he eased into the last 16.
- An outside problem can sometimes be helped by, say, more flexible working hours and so be resolved at management level.
- Earnings might vary because of piece-work, overtime or short-time working.
- Flexible Hours Question: Has consideration been given to the introduction of flexible working hours?
- Meanwhile, solicitors were last week urged to consider flexible working for staff in line with the government's family friendly policies.
- Recruitment procedures focus on individual skills and potential for flexible working.
- Through grants to local authorities, we are financing schemes to introduce more flexible working practices - such as job sharing.
- Vauxhall bosses admit that the threat of short-time working at Ellesmere Port still remains a possibility.
- Wage freezes have been brought in across most of the company and some short-time working introduced.
WORD FAMILYnounshortshortageshortnessshortsshortyverbshortenshortadverbshortshortlyadjectiveshort
1fall short of something to be less than what you need, expected, or hoped for, or to fail to reach a satisfactory standard: The Republicans increased their share of the vote, but still fell short of a majority. Shares in the company dropped 26p yesterday, as profits fell short of City expectations.fall short of a goal/target/ideal The economy fell short of the Treasury’s target of 2% growth.fall far/a long way/well short of something Facilities in these schools fall far short of the standards required. One or two songs on the album are interesting, but most fall short of the mark (=are not good enough).2be running short (of/on something) if you are running short of something, or if something is running short, it is being used up and there will soon not be enough left: We’re running short of coffee again. Our supplies of petrol were running short. Come on, time’s running short!3stop short of doing something to almost do something but then decide not to do it: They accused the president of incompetence, but stopped short of calling for his resignation.4stop short to suddenly stop speaking or stop what you are doing, because something has surprised you or you have just thought of something: Seeing her tears, he stopped short.5be cut short if something is cut short, it is stopped before you expect or before it is finished: His career was tragically cut short when, at the age of 42, he died of a heart attack.6cut somebody short to interrupt and stop someone when they are speaking: I was halfway through my explanation when Walter cut me short.7pull/bring somebody up short to surprise or shock someone so that they stop what they are doing or saying to think for a moment: The question brought her up short, but, after a moment’s hesitation, she answered it.83 metres/5 miles etc short of something without reaching a place you are trying to get to, because you are still a particular distance from it: The plane touched down 200 metres short of the runway.9two weeks/a month etc short of something two weeks, a month etc before something: He died two days short of his fifty-sixth birthday.10short of (doing) something without actually doing something: Short of locking her in her room, he couldn’t really stop her from seeing Jack.11come up short to fail to win or achieve something: We’ve been to the state tournament four times, but we’ve come up short every time.12go short (of something) British English to have less of something than you need: She made sure that her children never went short.13be taken short/be caught short British English informal to have a sudden strong need to go to the toilet when you are not near oneshort1 adjectiveshort2 nounshort3 adverbshort4 verb
shortshort4 (also short out) verb [intransitive, transitive] VERB TABLE
short
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | short |
| he, she, it | shorts | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | shorted |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have shorted |
| he, she, it | has shorted | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had shorted |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will short |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have shorted |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am shorting |
| he, she, it | is shorting | |
| you, we, they | are shorting | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was shorting |
| you, we, they | were shorting | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been shorting |
| he, she, it | has been shorting | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been shorting |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be shorting |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been shorting |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Customers were being shorted about two ounces per glass of beer.
- The fire was caused by a toaster that shorted out.
WORD SETS
alternator, nounarc, nounblow, verbcapacitor, nouncathode, nouncell, nouncharge, nouncharge, verbcharger, nouncircuit, nouncircuit board, nouncircuit breaker, nouncircuitry, nouncoil, nouncondenser, nounconnection, nouncontact, nouncord, nouncordless, adjectivecurrent, nounDC, dimmer, noundirect current, noundischarge, verbdischarge, nounE, earth, nounearth, verbelectric, adjectiveelectrician, nounelectricity, nounelectrics, nounelectrode, nounelectronic, adjectiveelectronics, nounfuel cell, nounfuse, verbfuse box, nounfused, adjectivegrid, nounlive, adjectivelive wire, nounmagic eye, nounmagneto, nounnegative, adjectiveneutral, adjectivenoise, nounoscillate, verboscillator, nounoutlet, nounphotoelectric, adjectivephotoelectric cell, nounpin, nounplug, nounpoint, nounpre-set, adjectiveprinted circuit, nounprogramme, nounprogramme, verbpulse, nounremote control, nounresistance, nounresistor, nounscan, verbscanner, nounshort, nounshort, verbshort circuit, nounshort-circuit, verbsocket, nounsolid-state, adjectivesonar, nounsuperconductivity, nounsuperconductor, nounterminal, nountime switch, nountoggle switch, nountorch, nountransformer, nountransistor, nounvacuum tube, nounvalve, nounW, wire, nounwiring, nounzapper, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Tom got a letter from him just a little while ago. Children often have a short attention span. a long trumpet blast There was a brief hiatus in the war. It’s just a short hop from Cleveland to Detroit. He was short on patience, but long on a sense of his own worth. We were on short rations (=given a smaller amount than usual). Carlos decided to take a short-cut home. She’s suffering from short-term memory loss. a short skirt and high heels a short-sleeved shirt Keep your answer short and snappy. We must have walked ten miles today. I walked all the way to San Rafael. Wait a little while before deciding.
· What follows is a short account of the legal procedure.
Tom got a letter from him just a little while ago. (=that you hope to achieve quickly)· The immediate aim is to develop the travel business.
(=used when giving a simple, honest, or direct answer to a difficult question)· ‘How does homeopathy work?’ ‘The short answer to this question is that we do not know how homeopathic remedies work.’
· Employing overseas nurses is only a short-term answer to the shortage.
Children often have a short attention span. a long trumpet blast· Shall we have a quick five-minute break?
(=be unable to breathe easily because you are ill, old etc)· Near the top of the mountain I started to feel short of breath.
· The home provides short-term care for elderly people.
· He became acting president in a brief ceremony yesterday.
· I did a short course on website design.
· There was a slight delay in the departure of the plane.
· There's only a brief description of the hotel on the Internet.
· I quickly walked the short distance to the car.
(=having an effect for a long or short time)· Many boxers suffer with the long-term effects of punches to the head.
· They were married last month after a short engagement.
· The band had rather a brief existence.· The show's existence was extremely short.
(=be worse that someone hoped or expected)· Our profits last year fell below expectations.
· I was very tired after the long flight.
(=that you hope to achieve after a short time)· Companies should not focus only on the short-term goal of profitability.
· These mowers only work efficiently on short grass.
· I like your hair when it’s short like that.
There was a brief hiatus in the war. It’s just a short hop from Cleveland to Detroit. (=not be as good as you think something should be)· In appearance, she fell somewhat short of his ideals.
· She nursed him through his long illness.· Arthur died following a short illness.
· A military attack may only have a short-term impact on terrorist activity.
(=one that will give you profit in a short time)· Interest rates will be cut on short-term investments.
· He let out a nervous little laugh.
· These flats are let on short leases to students.
· She was thrilled to get a long letter from her son.
· He read out a long list of errors.
(=to be paid back after a long/short time)· I intended the money as a short-term loan.
He was short on patience, but long on a sense of his own worth. (=your ability to remember things that you have just seen, heard, or done)· The drug can damage your short-term memory.
(=if you have a short memory, you soon forget things)· Voters have short memories.
· She left a short message on his answering machine.
(=it is extremely unexpected and you are very pleased about it)· What has happened is nothing short of a miracle.
· Her nails were short and uneven.
· A short nap may make you feel better.
(=without much time to prepare)· Thank you for coming to help at such short notice.
· "Well, that was a surprise," he said after a brief pause.
· He lived for a short period in Manchester.
We were on short rations (=given a smaller amount than usual).· He decided to stop and take a short rest.
· I climbed slowly aboard the bus for the long ride to Hawkesworth.
· We took the shortest route back to the hotel.
(=a short time in prison)· We’re hoping that he gets off with a light sentence.
Carlos decided to take a short-cut home. She’s suffering from short-term memory loss.· After a brief silence, Katherine nodded.
a short skirt and high heels· I always have a little sleep in the afternoon.
a short-sleeved shirt Keep your answer short and snappy.· The chairman opened the meeting with a brief speech.
· After a brief spell in a florist's shop, she became a hairdresser.
· Police last night issued a brief statement about the incident.
· No visa is required for short stays.
(=stop walking suddenly) Sally saw the ambulance and stopped short.
Sally saw the ambulance and stopped short.· He has published two collections of short stories.
· Its tail is short and pointed.
(=achieve less than you wanted to)· Car production at the plant has fallen short of its target by 5%.
(=likely to get angry very easily)· He’s got a quick temper, which gets him into trouble.
(=very stupid)
· A short time later, she heard him drive away.
· a short vacation at the beach
· Miss Russell was only able to pay a brief visit.
We must have walked ten miles today. I walked all the way to San Rafael.· The house is only a short walk from local shops.
· This total falls well short of the sum required.
Wait a little while before deciding.· a short word beginning with ‘d’ and ending with ‘g’
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► long-bodied/short-bodied etc► bring somebody up short/with a start► life’s too short► (since somebody was) in short pants► short-range plan/goal/forecast etc► long-stemmed/short-stemmed etc► to cut a long story short► in the long/short/medium term
- His death at the age of 38 cut short a brilliant career.
- The ten-day mission was cut short when one of the shuttle's navigation devices failed.
- I tried to explain but she cut me short.
- I was halfway through my explanation when Walter cut me short.
- I was a waitress in a bar and he was one of my customers, and that, to cut a long story short, is how we met.
- I'm only here because I drew the short straw.
- Rose had drawn the short straw, and was thus forced to seek Lord Westbourne clasping the Romanov dagger.
- The results fell far short of our expectations.
- Anything less than this is a measure of the extent to which the research falls short of scientific standards.
- By 1951 the Labour government had built 900,000 houses, falling short of its target of 240,000 dwellings a year.
- Even in the best of years, Journal news coverage inevitably falls short of perfection.
- On the other hand, if the firm falls short of covering its fixed costs, a loss will be incurred.
- Reality has a way of falling short of the ideal.
- The results fell short of eight analysts' forecasts of profit between 130 million and 127 million pounds.
- The trainers suggest that, as guards, they fell short of expectations.
- And you don't fool with those because things are on a shorter fuse in Beirut.
- Every nerve smouldered on a short fuse.
- She was standing there crammed full of enthusiasm and energy like a bomb on a short fuse.
- Tom's a chap with a temper on a short fuse anyway.
- Wright has a short fuse, and without the goals going in his situation is worsening.
- You may find your temper on a short fuse when confronting your child or teenager for the umpteenth time.
- The long and short of it is that I had too much to drink and said something I shouldn't have.
- There you are, the long and the short of it.
- Both players pulled out of the competition yesterday at short notice.
- Occasionally, tours may have to be cancelled at short notice.
- One of the players dropped out at short notice.
- He was called in at short notice due to the unfortunate motor accident involving Design Director, Bill Naysmith.
- Many laboratories have cooperated at short notice and are analysing large numbers of samples.
- Many of the more glamorous film and photographic opportunities crop up at short notice, so you have to be flexible.
- Occasionally tours may be cancelled at short notice owing to circumstances beyond our control.
- The landlord could also terminate the arrangements at short notice.
- There is an aversion to holding meetings at short notice with a diminished complement.
- These alternatives will not always be available at short notice but it might be possible to plan for them.
- Working conditions may not be up to much, and as a casual employee you can be fired at short notice.
- Although this is the socially efficient output in the short run it is not efficient in the long run.
- He predicted more volatile dealings in the short run.
- However, in the short run, numerous factors may operate to cause changes in supply.
- It showed the company that Orrick was willing to make a commitment to them by losing some money in the short run.
- Of course, IRAs cost the Treasury in the short run.
- The problem worsens with the relentless financial pressures for immediate performance in the short run.
- The recipients did not, and in the short run simply could not, spend the majority of their extra revenue.
- This could follow if the capital goods producing industries faced capacity constraints in their attempt to raise output in the short run.
- Don't sell this guy short - there's more to him than just good looks.
- I had to find out a lot of things about you in a short space of time.
- In old age several major losses may occur within a short space of time.
- In such a short space of time, he had plunged from the pinnacle of success to the depths of defeat.
- Just how much things can change in a short space of time.
- Still, he had been knocked out twice in a short space of time and would appreciate some rest.
- That was an extraordinarily fine achievement in such a short space of time.
- The problem is getting the material under control in order to reach ambitious learning goals in a short space of time.
- The problem was more one of having to absorb a vast amount of information in a short space of time.
- Shepherd stopped short of calling him a liar.
- Doctors stop short of saying the disease is always fatal, but medical literature paints a bleak picture.
- Eric Gray charged back up the court before stopping short of the center line.
- Even if it stops short of this extreme, retroactive cost justification is largely ineffective.
- He stopped short of making recommendations about weapons programs in his 90-minute meeting at the White House.
- I know people who would maim and yet stop short of murder.
- In fact, no general pattern is discernible, except that almost all stop short of full accountability to Parliament.
- Yet the argument against Ashdown's triumphalism has to stop short of encouraging the same fatal hubris among Labour politicians.
- But she made light work of polishing off the shopping at a supermarket near her West London home.
- Carmen would have made short work of Michael too.
- Fourth placed Guisborough made short work of the opposition at Saltburn.
- Guernsey made short work of the opposition when they won the event on home soil in 1990.
- It is fair to warn anglers that thousands of crabs soon make short work of rag and lugworm.
- It made short work of our Windows performance tests, WinTach, clocking up an impressive index of over 9.3.
- The second game we pull away early and make short work of it.
- Willie Thorne made light work of the promising Nottinghamshire youngster, Anthony Hamilton, as he eased into the last 16.
- An outside problem can sometimes be helped by, say, more flexible working hours and so be resolved at management level.
- Earnings might vary because of piece-work, overtime or short-time working.
- Flexible Hours Question: Has consideration been given to the introduction of flexible working hours?
- Meanwhile, solicitors were last week urged to consider flexible working for staff in line with the government's family friendly policies.
- Recruitment procedures focus on individual skills and potential for flexible working.
- Through grants to local authorities, we are financing schemes to introduce more flexible working practices - such as job sharing.
- Vauxhall bosses admit that the threat of short-time working at Ellesmere Port still remains a possibility.
- Wage freezes have been brought in across most of the company and some short-time working introduced.
WORD FAMILYnounshortshortageshortnessshortsshortyverbshortenshortadverbshortshortlyadjectiveshort
to short-circuit, or make something do this: The toaster shorted and caused a fire.