We are in the short strokes of finishing this project.
short strokes
idiomThe final steps of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.
Origin
disputed originPossibly an allusion to painting, in which a painter typically finishes a work with short, careful, finishing strokes of the paint brush, or to golf, in which a player concludes each hole by making short strokes with a putter.
After months of planning the wedding, we are finally in the short strokes of the preparations.
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.
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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).
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fall short
To be less satisfactory than expected; to be inadequate or insufficient.
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few sandwiches short of a picnic
Exhibiting disquiet or unsoundness of mind; not sane; mad.
Last updated April 17, 2026