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a few dollars short vs dollars short

These are both acceptable phrases, but they would be used in somewhat dissimilar 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.
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Explained by Gregg
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 13, 2025 • 6292 views

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

"a few dollars short"

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.
  • May 7, 2019 ... 2.8K votes, 76 comments. Often I find myself a few dollars short of free shipping with nothing else I want to add to my cart.
  • a day early & a few dollars short. rocka rambles by rockamagazine July 1, 2024 July 1, 2024. Dear Rocka readers, I should be legally banned from walking ...
  • Jul 4, 2019 ... A Few Dollars Short on Rent. Hey guys, I need some advice. I payed rent through money order and mailed it yesterday for it to get there ...
  • Sep 1, 2023 ... 402 likes, 7 comments - rachellruss on September 1, 2023: "A few days late and definitely a few dollars short, but had the best weekend with ...
  • Jul 16, 2013 ... Ended up being a few dollars short of the 5 fish I wanted, Good Guy Petco employee gave me this · Comments Section · Community Info Section · More ...
  • Jul 18, 2022 ... Few months late and more than a few dollars short. I've been meaning to start this newsletter for awhile.
  • Browsing the "A Week Late and a Few Dollars Short" Category. A Week Late and a Few Dollars Short · No-He-Doesnt · A Week Late #19: Justice League Problems.
  • Dec 18, 2022 ... They didn't have quite enough money to pay for something.|@shalomAti Example. Something costs $50 and you have $47. A few dollars short of ...
  • Jan 17, 2005 ... I am a long time fan of Guardians of Order's projects, and so when i noticed Dungeon on Amazon for 12 dollars and being a few dollars short of ...
  • May 10, 2012 ... I"ve had this done to me at least 3 times already when I thought I paid the full amount of rent and i was a few dollars short. Then I get a ...

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

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

"dollars short"

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.
  • Jan 14, 2022 ... ... ever was try being 65 dollars short or your store manager repeatedly telling you your 300 dollars short. Upvote 1. Downvote Reply reply
  • Aug 31, 2020 ... What should you do if you're only 20 dollars short for rent? Contact the landlord IMMEDIATELY. Tell him/her that you have all the rent ...
  • Feb 10, 2024 ... I clocked out and went home after the most fucked shift ive worked and i get a text from my manager that i am about 93 dollars short. How ...
  • Nov 17, 2022 ... By itself, I'm 100 dollars short says nothing more than that you need 100 more dollars in order to pay for something. It does not express the ...
  • Aug 21, 2024 ... A billion dollars short: A progress report on the Planetary Decadal Survey. Two years into the current decadal period, NASA's spending on ...
  • Sep 1, 2023 ... 402 likes, 7 comments - rachellruss on September 1, 2023: "A few days late and definitely a few dollars short, but had the best weekend with ...
  • Jun 25, 2018 ... It sounds really wrong to my ear. (But "I am [some amount] short of 10 dollars" and "I am 10 dollars short of [the amount I need]" and ...
  • Apr 18, 2021 ... Definition of I'm just 5 dollars short now.. If I need $30 to buy something, but I only have $25, then I am "short" $5.
  • a day early & a few dollars short. rocka rambles by rockamagazine July 1, 2024 July 1, 2024. Dear Rocka readers, I should be legally banned from walking ...
  • Aug 31, 2013 ... Days late, dollars short. Those with too little have a lot on their ... Days late, dollars short · Stories of zealotry · Consciously ...

Alternatives:

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

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