noun

shortcoming

shortcoming, flaw, defect, weakness

Every plan has its shortcomings.

Every plan has its shortcomings.

He is aware of his own shortcomings.

He is aware of his own shortcomings.

((sb.'s/sth.'s)) shortcoming a fault or failure to meet a certain standard He is aware of his own shortcomings.

Synonyms: weakness, flaw, defect, fault; Antonyms: strength, virtue

A combination of 'short' and 'coming'. It literally means 'coming up short' of a standard or expectation.

Imagine someone trying to jump over a bar but 'coming up short' – that's their shortcoming.

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