short of vs short on

[maoyueh]

I know it is correct to say "I am short of money," or "He is short on brains/common sense/personality." It it also correct to say "I am short on money"? Or both are correct? What nuances are there? Thanks!:lol:

 

[Leandro-Z]

"Short of money" means that you are lacking money. "Short on common sense" means that you are a fool. I would say that "short of" is usually used with concrete things, while "short on" with abstract nouns.

I am short of milk.
I am short of bread.
I am short of paper.

but...

I am short on patience.
I am short on honesty.