short commons

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.

Meg looked worn and nervous, the babies absorbed every minute of her time, the house was neglected, and Kitty, the cook, who took life ‘aisy’, kept him on short commons.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Already they were getting used to much walking on short commons — shorter at any rate than what in the Shire they would have thought barely enough to keep them on their legs.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Several wet days, bad quarters, and short commons, had pulled down the strength and lowered the spirits of the Allied troops.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 60, No. 373, November 1846 by Various

Had we found no grain here we must have lost all the transport-animals, as these have already been on very short commons for some days.

From March to Magdala by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

The Surveyor also noticed the grimness of his wet face, and dallied a moment with the card he held, for he had known what fatigue and short commons were in his early days.

From A Damaged Reputation by Bindloss, Harold