Expressions for shortage: be short of, lack, run low on, and more

2025-11-01

Meaning

This article explains expressions used to describe shortage or insufficiency, such as be short of, lack, and run low on. They are used when something is not enough, in short supply, or insufficient to meet a need.

Grammar and Usage

These expressions typically involve nouns referring to resources, time, money, sleep, or people. Some appear in the passive form, while others are active or idiomatic.

be short of + noun → not have enough of something
lack + noun → be without or not have something necessary
run out of + noun → completely use up something
run low on + noun → have very little remaining
be deprived of + noun → be kept from having something essential
be in need of + noun → require or want something lacking

Examples:

We are short of time.
She lacks confidence.
They ran out of fuel.
I’m running low on cash.
The country is deprived of clean water.
He is in need of help.

Comparison and Mapping

Expression	Core Meaning	Formality	Typical Use	Example
be short of	have less than needed; be lacking	medium	daily life, general	I’m short of money this month.
lack	not have something necessary	high	formal, written	She lacks experience for this job.
run out of	completely use up	informal	conversation, practical use	We ran out of coffee.
run low on	nearly finished, still some left	informal	daily life, business	The printer is running low on ink.
be deprived of	be denied something essential	high	formal, social issues	Many people are deprived of basic education.
be in need of	require or want something lacking	medium	polite, formal	The shelter is in need of donations.
be short on	similar to “short of,” often AmE usage	informal	American English	I’m short on sleep lately.
be pressed for	have very little time/money/resources	medium–high	business, time expressions	We’re pressed for time before the deadline.

Common Phrases

be short of time / money / sleep
lack experience / confidence / skill
run out of gas / patience / ideas
run low on supplies / ink / cash
be deprived of freedom / rights / food
be in need of help / care / rest
be short on sleep / patience
be pressed for time / money

Collocations

Verb Phrase	Example
be short of	We’re short of staff today.
lack	He lacks motivation to continue.
run out of	They ran out of tickets for the event.
run low on	The team is running low on energy.
be deprived of	Children were deprived of sleep.
be in need of	The hospital is in need of more equipment.
be pressed for	We’re pressed for time, so let’s move quickly.

Examples

I’m short of time today.
The students lack motivation.
We ran out of fuel halfway to the station.
The shop is running low on stock.
The victims were deprived of medical care.
The organization is in need of volunteers.
I’m short on sleep this week.
We’re pressed for time before the meeting.
The country lacks natural resources.
She’s running low on patience.

be short of
lack
be deficient in
be low on
run low on
run out of
be in need of
be deprived of
be pressed for

Antonym

have plenty of
be rich in
be full of
be abundant in
have enough of