be in short supply

To be scarce. Those toys have been in short supply ever since that website featured them. Kindness seems to be in short supply these days, so it's nice to see someone being so selfless. If you have to go to the mall on Christmas Eve, you can count on patience being in short supply.

See also: short, supply

in short supply

Scarce. Those toys are in short supply ever since that website featured them. Kindness seems to be in short supply these days, so it's nice to see someone being so selfless. If you have to go to the mall on Christmas Eve, you can count on patience being in short supply.

See also: short, supply

supply (someone or something) with (someone or something)

To furnish, equip, or provide someone or something with one or more people or things. This company supplies the entire region with electricity. I can supply you with all the workers you need to get this build finished in time.

supply and demand

The amount of something available to purchase compared to the number of people who need or want to purchase it. The company has had a hard time figuring out supply and demand on their first product, which has been incredibly popular but very difficult to find in stores.

in short supply

Fig. scarce. Fresh vegetables are in short supply in the winter. Yellow cars are in short supply because everyone likes them and buys them. At this time of the year, fresh vegetables go into short supply.

See also: short, supply

supply and demand

the availability of things or people as compared to the need to utilize the things or people; the availability of goods compared to the number of willing customers for the goods. Sometimes you can find what you want by shopping around and other times almost no store carries the items you are looking for. It depends entirely on supply and demand. (Alludes to a principle of market economics.) Sometimes customers ask for things we do not carry in stock and other times we have things in abundance that no one wants to buy. Whether or not we can make money off of a product depends entirely on supply and demand.

supply someone or something with something

to provide something to someone or something. We will supply you with all the pencils you need. We supplied the committee with ice water.

supply something (to someone or something) (from something)

to provide someone or something with something from some source. I supplied ice cream to the new restaurant from a very expensive source. We supplied nuts from a pushcart. Frank supplied nothing at all to them.

in short supply

Less than is needed, lacking. For example, Skilled operators were in short supply, or The hotels are all full, and beds are in short supply. [First half of 1900s]

See also: short, supply

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

be in ˌshort supˈply

not be enough of something; be scarce: During the war, many things were in short supply.

See also: short, supply

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

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References in periodicals archive

Supple was not the only one score a double on the opening day with former three-time champion trainer Doug Watson getting off to a flier by winning the first two races on the six-event card.

my verse ON SONG

A poor header from James McEveley back to his keeper saw Vine take possession but, with only Supple to beat, he somehow contrived to smash the ball into the side netting.

Football: HOWARD'S END CRUSHES ROYLE; COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP ALL THE GOALS Luton 1 Ipswich 0

Supple completed his double at odds of 71-1 when he got Partners In Jazz up on the line in the Nick Wilmot-Smith Memorial Handicap.

Supple completes the double at Ripon

Supple, however, had to be at his strongest to get Partners In Jazz up on the line in the Nick Wilmot-Smith Memorial Handicap.

Web weaves his magic

Jay Supple, co-owner of the Supple Restaurant Group, said: "It's great to be able to expand our partnership with the Green Bay Packers and to serve Packers fans and others with more great food choices.

Packers switch to Wisconsin Ice Cream

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute,Hazim had the worst draw in the 17-runner line-up,but Supple had plenty of confidence in him and was content to settle him at the back of the field.

Racing: Hazim's best yet to come

"Haroun and the Sea of Stories" marks the National Theater directing debut of the immensely gifted director Tim Supple, but it also tells a far different story from the various Young Vic triumphs (his New York-bound "Grimm Tales" included) that have made Supple, that venue's artistic director, one of London's most admired young talents.

HARROUN AND THE SEA OF STORIES

17 Supple, 164-65, gives perhaps the best definition of the bimetallic system: "With both gold and silver coins circulating, and each type being valued in terms of the other, there was an official Mint ratio which was given, and could be altered, by that valuation, or by any other step which changed the amount of gold and/or silver being represented by one pound tale."

Sovereign counterfeits: the trial of the pyx

Regular aerobic workouts may do more than keep the body trim and supple: A new study suggests that such a routine may keep the blood vessels flexible.

Exercise may keep arteries springy

Carlife Motors Limited, having its registered office at 6 Supple Park Shopping Centre, Supple Park, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath and having its principal place of business at 6 Supple Park Shopping Centre, Supple Park, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath having ceased to trade and c.

a. Source Analytics Limited, having [...]; Public Notices

SHANE SUPPLE admits he'd rather get a second shot at the SPL with Falkirk next season than play second fiddle in the English Premiership.

SHANE WANTS TO BE NO. 1; Clydesdale Bank PREMIER LEAGUE SPL