The phrase "stays shy of" means to stay away from or avoid something. The pronunciation of this phrase is /steɪz ʃaɪ ʌv/ with the first word "stays" pronounced as /steɪz/ and the second word "shy" pronounced as /ʃaɪ/. The word "shy" means to be hesitant or timid, making it a fitting expression to describe the act of staying away from something. Therefore, the spelling of "stays shy of" captures the notion of avoiding or shying away from something effectively.
The phrase "stays shy of" is an idiomatic expression that conveys a meaning of avoiding or falling short of a specific goal, measure, or distance. It implies a sense of remaining slightly below or just short of achieving a desired outcome or target. This phrase is often used to describe the act of deliberately staying below a particular threshold or limit.
For example, if someone says, "The company's revenue stays shy of $1 million," it means that their revenue is consistently below the $1 million mark, indicating that they have not yet been able to reach or exceed that amount.
The term "shy" in this phrase refers to a person or object staying away or being at a distance from something. When used in the context of "stays shy of," it signifies that the subject intentionally keeps a safe or cautious distance from a specified target. This can be due to various reasons, including a deliberate strategy, risk aversion, or a lack of capability.
Overall, "stays shy of" conveys the notion of being just below a certain threshold, measurement, or achievement, highlighting that the subject falls slightly short of reaching its intended or desired goal.