Dictionary.com
definitions

fall short of

Prove inadequate or insufficient. For example, His skills fell short of the required standard. [Late 1500s]

RELATED CONTENT

fall of the Berlin WallRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
“Sir” and “madam” are shorter versions of what older, fancier terms?Let’s say you want to get the attention of a male clerk in the produce section of the grocery store. Would you say, “Excuse me sire, but could you please explain the difference between a yam and a sweet potato?” (For the answer to that question, read this.) Addressing a stranger as “sire” might raise an eyebrow. But if you said it, you wouldn’t necessarily …
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

dissatisfy, disillusion, dishearten, dumbfound, disconcert, baffle, deceive, fail, hamper, mislead, disenchant, hinder, thwart, founder, tease, chagrin, balk, vex, dash, disgruntle

Nearby words

  1. fall on one's face,
  2. fall on one's feet,
  3. fall out,
  4. fall over,
  5. fall river,
  6. fall through,
  7. fall through the cracks,
  8. fall to,
  9. fall under,
  10. fall webworm
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.