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.

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

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

For forty-eight hours he had been on short commons.

From The Dispatch-Riders The Adventures of Two British Motor-cyclists in the Great War by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

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

Moreover, he knew where to find grain when it was wanted, wherefore his charge suffered no disadvantage by reason of short commons.

From John Ames, Native Commissioner A Romance of the Matabele Rising by Mitford, Bertram