shy of

0.04 sec.

shy of something

having less of something than is needed or expected. The bill was four votes shy of a majority. He was a large man, just shy of six feet tall.

Related vocabulary: short of something

See also: shy

?Page tools

Printer friendly

Cite / link

Feedback

Your Ad Here

? References in classic literature
When you can look round a roomful of people and think that each one is a mere child in intellect compared with yourself you feel no more shy of them than you would of a select company of magpies or orang-outangs. Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow by Jerome, Jerome K. View in context Carey had thought much how she should treat him; she was anxious to do her duty; but now he was there she found herself just as shy of him as he was of her. Of Human Bondage by Maugham, W. Somerset View in context The inconvenience grew intolerable, and though she was now of a retiring habit, and shy of women, she went up to Wickham Place. Howards End by Forster, E. M. View in context More results

References in classic literature

When you can look round a roomful of people and think that each one is a mere child in intellect compared with yourself you feel no more shy of them than you would of a select company of magpies or orang-outangs.

Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow by Jerome, Jerome K. View in context

Carey had thought much how she should treat him; she was anxious to do her duty; but now he was there she found herself just as shy of him as he was of her.

Of Human Bondage by Maugham, W. Somerset View in context

The inconvenience grew intolerable, and though she was now of a retiring habit, and shy of women, she went up to Wickham Place.

Howards End by Forster, E. M. View in context

More results

Idioms browser

Full browser

shut out
shut up
shut up like a clam
shut up shop
shuttle diplomacy
shy
shy away from

shy of
sic on
sick
sick at heart
sick of
sick to death of
sick to stomach
side

Free Tools:	For surfers: Browser extension \| Word of the Day \| Help For webmasters: Free content NEW! \| Linking \| Lookup box \| Double-click lookup \| Partner with us

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.