come up short

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Even in years with decent snow, streamflow has come up short.

From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026

Arteta's Arsenal will be desperate to shed their tag as the side that has come up short in recent years.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

“It’s an opposition that he sees as unimpressive and having come up short, so why would you just turn it over to them?”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026

For 2025, global silver supply is forecast to come up short of global demand for a fifth year in a row, according to The Silver Institute.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 10, 2025

I dive across the room, but with one eye swelled shut I have no depth perception and come up short.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen