a few dollars short vs dollars short

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'A few dollars short' implies a small amount of money is lacking, while 'dollars short' is more general and can refer to any amount of money that is missing.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 6193 views

a few dollars short

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate that a small amount of money is lacking.

This phrase is used when someone is close to having enough money for something but is still missing a small amount.

Examples:

I'd love to buy this book, but I'm a few dollars short.
She was just a few dollars short of being able to afford the concert ticket.
The meal was delicious, but I was a few dollars short to pay for it.
He needed to pay the bill, but he was a few dollars short.
The dress was on sale, but I was still a few dollars short to buy it.

Show examples from the web [+]

You think you can take me out 'cause I was a few dollars short?
You think you can take me out 'cause I was a few dollars short?
Gaynor's a few hundred thousand dollars short of making your list.
It started with me taking a few dollars from the register every shift.
For a few dollars more, you can upgrade to the collector cups.
Not if we can save a few dollars.
If you want, I could lend you a few dollars.
Only a few dollars a week at the grocery.
Let's pool a few dollars together.
I used to leave Erica a few dollars for pizza.
Perhaps Claire could pick up a few dollars by donating my body to science.
Give her a few dollars, enough to get home.
For a few dollars more, we can buy Henry's children a well.
I watched him boil my parents' lives down to a few dollars.
The other to the road here, where he absconds, leaving a few dollars behind.
I can loan you a few dollars until Friday if you do.
Judging from his home, it's made him a few dollars.
Which means that his prices will go through the roof and your painting will be worth quite a few dollars now.
Let me take a few dollars, I'll go play at his table.
A few dollars more, you can come on my face.

Alternatives:

a bit short on cash
a little short of money
a tad short on funds
a small amount short
a slight shortage of money

dollars short

This phrase is correct and can be used to indicate that any amount of money is lacking.

This phrase is more general and can be used to express that there is a shortage of money without specifying the exact amount.

Examples:

I can't buy the new phone, I'm dollars short.
She was always dollars short at the end of the month.
The project couldn't be completed as they were dollars short.
He found himself dollars short when it came time to pay the rent.
They were just a few dollars short of reaching their fundraising goal.

Show examples from the web [+]

Tomorrow's a day late, a billion dollars short.
That I am five and a half million dollars short?
Gaynor's a few hundred thousand dollars short of making your list.
Daria, Jean, we're two hundred dollars short of what we need to open the coffeehouse.
Even if I sell my DVD player, I'm still close to 2000 dollars short.
You're a day late and a whole lot of dollars short, little brother.
You think you can take me out 'cause I was a few dollars short?
You think you can take me out 'cause I was a few dollars short?
A day late and a dollar short.
I think we're both a day late and a dollar short in that department.
A day late, but not a dollar short.
You're a day late and a dollar short.
I think we're both a day late and a dollar short in that department.
Except you're a day late and a dollar short.
A day late, a dollar short, and if you don't look both ways, you'll never live to see tomorrow.
But let's hope you're not a day late and a dollar short Or in this case, three days late.
You've seen this year with flu; we're always a year behind and a dollar short when it comes to the right vaccine.
RALPH: Except you're a day late and a dollar short.
But, you know, you... you mosey on down here a day late and a dollar short...
"A day late and a dollar short."

Alternatives:

short on money
lacking funds
in need of cash
running low on funds
deficient in money

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a few dollars short vs dollars short