Pronunciation: [kˈʌm ʃˈɔːt] (IPA) 
The phrase "come short" is spelled with a silent "e" at the end of "come." In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /kʌm ʃɔːt/. The "o" in "come" is pronounced as the short vowel sound /ʌ/, while the "r" and "t" are pronounced distinctly. The "s" and "h" in "short" are pronounced as the consonant sounds /ʃ/ and /t/ respectively. "Come short" is an idiom that means to fail to reach a certain goal or standard.
The phrase "come short" is an idiomatic expression used to describe an individual's failure or inability to meet a particular expectation, requirement, or standard. It signifies falling below the desired level, being deficient, or not achieving the intended outcome. It often implies a sense of disappointment or dissatisfaction.
In a literal sense, "come short" can depict physical distance where someone does not reach a specific point or destination due to limitations or constraints. However, in a more figurative sense, it implies a shortfall or inadequacy in a non-physical context.
The phrase can be applied in various scenarios, such as sports competitions, academic performance, work-related tasks, or personal goals. For example, one might say, "Despite her efforts, she came short of winning the championship," illustrating that the person was not able to achieve victory or reach the desired outcome.
Additionally, "come short" can also be used to convey the idea of lacking or falling behind in meeting established moral, ethical, or behavioral standards. In this context, it suggests a failure to uphold principles, expectations, or responsibilities.
Overall, "come short" denotes not measuring up to an expected level or falling below one's own or others' judgments or requirements, encompassing both tangible and intangible aspects of life.
The etymology of the phrase come short can be traced back to Old English. The word come is derived from the Old English word cuman, meaning to come, arrive. The word short comes from the Old English word sceort, which means short, brief, lacking. So when we combine these two words, the phrase come short essentially means to not reach a goal or expectation, to fall short.
