short-handed

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.

Necessity is the mother of invention, as the saying goes, so forcing a team to play short-handed could compel remaining employees to find productivity hacks faster than they otherwise would have.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Playing in their second back-to-back of the season, the Lakers will again be short-handed.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2025

A yellow card for Japan's Charlie Lawrence left the home side temporarily short-handed and there was more injury woe for Australia when Josh Canham went off following a heavy hit.

From Barron's • Oct. 25, 2025

Chief executive Jeremy Dale pulled pints at the final home game against Mansfield in April, while director Andrew Shanahan jumped behind the bar to help short-handed staff earlier in the season.

From BBC • Aug. 6, 2025

Friday, she had to work straight through—a sixteen-hour shift—because the company was short-handed on account of an influenza epidemic.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith