Pronunciation: [wˈɒn ʃˈɔːt] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "one short" can be confusing due to the silent "e" at the end of "one". The correct pronunciation is /wʌn ʃɔrt/. The "o" is pronounced as "uh" and the "e" is silent. The "sh" sound is represented by the letters "sh" and the "ort" sound is represented by the letters "ort". The phrase "one short" means to be missing one item, often used in the context of military drills or aviation.
One short is an idiomatic phrase used to describe a situation or action that displays a sudden shortage or lack of something, usually denoting an amount that is less than expected or required. This expression is often used colloquially and can have different interpretations depending on the context in which it is used.
In general, "one short" refers to a deficit or insufficiency of one particular unit or quantity. It implies that an expected or desired quantity is lacking by just a single unit, which could be in reference to a physical object or an abstract concept such as time or money. For example, if someone orders a dozen donuts and receives only 11, they may declare that they are "one short." Similarly, if an individual is trying to complete a set of items and is missing just one component, they might refer to themselves as being "one short."
This phrase can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone falls just short of achieving a goal or expectation, implying a minor or marginal shortfall. It emphasizes the significance of such a small deficiency in relation to the overall objective. Overall, "one short" denotes a lack or discrepancy of one unit, either tangible or intangible, resulting in an incomplete or unsatisfactory outcome.
The phrase "one short" typically refers to being one short of a particular amount or number. However, "one short" as a standalone phrase doesn't have a specific etymology. It is derived from the meanings of the individual words "one" and "short". "One" is derived from the Old English word "ān", whereas "short" comes from the Old English word "sceort". Over time, these words evolved and remained in usage, leading to the phrase "one short" being used to indicate a deficiency or lack of something.
