short/long

[unpakwon]

The meaning of the following in bold is confusing. I want you to make them clear for me.

1. Make certain you are short on promises to your people and long on fulfillment. Action does speak louder than words.

2. In any type of discussion or confrontation, your objective is to win them over... not win over them.

Thank you.

[Sheritra]

Hi there,

Though I'm a not a native speaker, I think I can give you a hand:

1. Your first sentence is a saying which means that it is better to do things for other people rather than promise things and not accomplished what you promised.

2. This second sentence means that it is better to convince people of your ideas discussing and explaining them (win them over), than simply win a discussion without the others to understand your ideas and imposing what you think it is best (win over them).

I hope this helps.
Regards,

Sheritra

[unpakwon]

Thank you for the answer.

It's been helpful.

Although I understand your explanation, I'm still not sure why they use the words "short" and "long" there. These are easy words and I know their literal meaning. However, in the quoted context, they sound rather strange.

[Raymott]

Thank you for the answer.

It's been helpful.

Although I understand your explanation, I'm still not sure why they use the words "short" and "long" there. These are easy words and I know their literal meaning. However, in the quoted context, they sound rather strange.

It's just an idiom you'll get used to. "short" is often used on it's on. "long" is usually used as a contrast (as in the original, above).
"She looks nice, but she's short on personality".
"He likes to criticise, but he's short on useful suggestions".
"She likes being praised, but she's short on complimenting others."

[BobK]

Hi there,

Though I'm a not a native speaker, I think I can give you a hand:

1. Your first sentence is a saying which means that it is better to do things for other people rather than promise things and not accomplish[ed] what you promised.

2. This second sentence means that it is better to convince people of your ideas ^by^ discussing and explaining them (win them over), than ^to^ simply win a discussion without the others [to] understand^ing^ your ideas and imposing what you think [it] is best (win over them).

I hope this helps.
Regards,

Sheritra

(A couple of mistakes, but very well put!)

b