run short

Idioms  

1. Use something up so that a supply runs out or becomes insufficient, as in We ran short of envelopes, or The organization is running short of money. [Mid-1700s]

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Example Sentences

He recently asked OpenAI to lead a funding round for Helion after the nuclear-fusion startup fell behind on promises of a breakthrough energy source and began to run short on cash.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Social Security’s trust fund supporting seniors is expected to run short of money in a few short years, resulting in benefit cuts of 22.5% in 2033, according to the Trustees report released in June.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

Despite falling a run short, stringing a few hits together showed that the Angels could build off each other to produce runs.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2025

Jones fell one run short of her half-century but played a crucial supporting knock which took the pressure off Beaumont, whose 35-ball fifty was her quickest in ODIs.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2024

Chagrin reproducing and proliferating, as if they would ever run short.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng