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run short of — to use up almost all of something and not have enough

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to use up almost all of something and not have enough

Pronunciation (IPA): /rʌn ʃɔːrt ʌv/

Example Sentences

  • The bakery ran short of donuts because everyone wanted them for the office meeting.
  • I'm running short of excuses for being late to work every day.
  • The company is running short of budget for this project.

run short of

VERB

[/rʌn ʃɔːrt ʌv/]

to use up almost all of something and not have enough

run short of — to use up almost all of something and not have enough (concept illustration)
💡 Concept
Running short of drinks at the sport court!
🎵 Rhyme

Running short of drinks at the sport court!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/rʌn ʃɔːrt ʌv/
🇬🇧 UK/rʌn ʃɔːt ɒv/

🌳Etymology

Origin

This phrasal verb combines the English verb 'run' (meaning to proceed or continue) with the adjective 'short' (meaning lacking or insufficient) and the preposition 'of' to form an idiomatic expression meaning to exhaust one's supply or fall short in quantity.

Breakdown

run (to proceed, continue) + short (lacking, insufficient) + of (preposition indicating lack or deficiency)

🎵Rhyme

short
court
sport

🔗Collocations

run short of time
run short of money
run short of supplies
run short of staff
run short of ideas
run short of breath
run short of patience

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The bakery ran short of donuts because everyone wanted them for the office meeting.”

😄 Fun example

“I'm running short of excuses for being late to work every day.”

“The company is running short of budget for this project.”

“We ran short of chairs for the meeting, so some people had to stand.”

“My phone is running short of battery during this important call.”

📚Related Words

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