short strokes
The final steps of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“We are in the short strokes of finishing this project.”
“I am in the short strokes of my final exam preparation.”
“After months of planning the wedding, we are finally in the short strokes of the preparations.”
“The construction crew is in the short strokes of the renovation, so the family can move back into their house by next weekend.”
“Our legal team reached the short strokes of the contract negotiations after discussing the details for several weeks.”
“Having labored over the manuscript for years, the author finally entered the short strokes of the editing process, eager to see the book in print.”
disputed origin
The origin is uncertain, though the idiom is possibly an allusion to the practice of painting, in which a work is completed with short, careful strokes of the brush to achieve the final detail. A second theory suggests a derivation from golf, in which a player concludes each hole by making short strokes with a putter. In both instances, the finish is a matter of diminished distance and increased precision.
- 01
a day late and a dollar short
Too late and too feeble to achieve the desired effect.
- 02
a short drop and a sudden stop
A fall to one's death by hanging.
- 03
broad strokes
Major features or key points; outline.
- 04
caught short
unprepared or without enough of something when it is needed
- 05
down to the short strokes
In the final steps or decisive phase of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.
- 06
draw the short straw
To be selected to do an undesirable task (by drawing the shortest straw or otherwise).
- 07
fall short
To be less satisfactory than expected; to be inadequate or insufficient.
- 08
few sandwiches short of a picnic
Exhibiting disquiet or unsoundness of mind; not sane; mad.
Last updated August 10, 2026