1. (

• abruptly ,
• suddenly ,
• short ,
• dead ,

) quickly and without warning; "he stopped suddenly" ;

2. (

• short ,

) without possessing something at the time it is contractually sold; "he made his fortune by selling short just before the crash" ;

3. (

• short ,

) clean across; "the car's axle snapped short" ;

4. (

• short ,

) at some point or distance before a goal is reached; "he fell short of our expectations" ;

5. (

• short ,

) so as to interrupt; "She took him up short before he could continue" ;

6. (

• short ,
• unawares ,

) at a disadvantage; "I was caught short" ;

7. (

• curtly ,
• short ,
• shortly ,

) in a curt, abrupt and discourteous manner; "he told me curtly to get on with it"; "he talked short with everyone"; "he said shortly that he didn't like it" ;