short-handed

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.

It was also hard to fill open jobs after the pandemic, and businesses don’t want to get caught short-handed again.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

Necessity is the mother of invention, as the saying goes, so forcing a team to play short-handed could compel remaining employees to find productivity hacks faster than they otherwise would have.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

It was Jan. 5, 2025, and I was marveling at the Rams gumption in their short-handed loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2025

A yellow card for Japan's Charlie Lawrence left the home side temporarily short-handed and there was more injury woe for Australia when Josh Canham went off following a heavy hit.

From Barron's • Oct. 25, 2025

We got to the bedroom door in time to hear Grandpa say, “Best go on now, Miss Love. They short-handed at the store.”

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns