Wiktionary
vb. (context idiomatic English) to be less satisfactory than expected; to be inadequate or insufficient
WordNet
v. fail to meet (expectations or standards) [syn: come short]
Usage examples of "fall short".
If he did not chop it down, if the work gang did not saw it into the right lengths of wood, they would fall short of their norm and would get only penalty rations.
The string of coral beads is very fine, and my husband's hunting suit does not fall short of it.
Thus, God is superior to all because he is the supreme giver, and the offerings of man fall short by an infinite distance of being a full return for the gifts of God.
But if she's better than they are in other things, I canna think she'll fall short of 'em in loving.
When you set a high bar and reach for it, even if you fall short, you wind up well ahead of where you started.