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Region: US | Usage example: Without that subsidy, the project is a dollar short.

A dollar short

Meaning

Lacking enough resources or support.

Usage

Used to describe someone just missing the required amount.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Refers to being short of the final dollar needed for payment.

19th-century ledger jargon entered general speech.

Related Idioms

A day late and a dollar short

Too late or insufficient to succeed.

A few cards short of a deck

Slightly lacking intelligence or common sense.

Another day, another dollar

Routine workday that yields a paycheck.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.