come up short
Miss the mark
To come up short is to fail to reach a goal or expectation, often by a narrow margin.
The phrase suggests falling just shy of what was needed: We came up short in the playoffs, The fundraiser came up short of its target.
It can also mean lacking sufficient resources: I came up short when the bill arrived.
- miss the markFail to achieve aim
- underperformFail to meet standards
- not quiteSlightly short of completely
- close but no cigarPhrase for near success
- missFail to reach
shortfall · fail · undershoot · lack · fall at the last hurdle · snatch defeat from the jaws of victory · drop the ball · deficit · fumble · underdeliver · miss the boat · unsatisfactory · gap · inadequacy · inches · drop · almost · nearly