short commons

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Meg looked worn and nervous, the babies absorbed every minute of her time, the house was neglected, and Kitty, the cook, who took life ‘aisy’, kept him on short commons.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Already they were getting used to much walking on short commons — shorter at any rate than what in the Shire they would have thought barely enough to keep them on their legs.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

The town was not well supplied with provisions, and by the middle of October the defenders were on very short commons indeed.

From The Childrens' Story of the War, Volume 3 (of 10) by Parrott, James Edward

Several wet days, bad quarters, and short commons, had pulled down the strength and lowered the spirits of the Allied troops.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 60, No. 373, November 1846 by Various

A week of frost in early December that had them three days snow-bound and on pinching short commons decided him for less arduous ways of life.

From The Happy Warrior by Hutchinson, A. S. M. (Arthur Stuart-Menteth)