odd-come-short

A tailor uses the odd-come-short to patch a pair of trousers.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small leftover piece or fragment: "odd-come-short" refers to a remnant or scrap, especially of cloth or fabric, that remains after cutting or using the main portion.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The tailor kept all the odd-come-shorts from the dressmaking to use for patches. (Small leftover pieces of fabric saved for repairs.)
  • She collected odd-come-shorts of lace and ribbon for her craft projects. (Scraps and remnants of decorative materials.)

Advanced Usage

• "odd-come-short" is an archaic or dialectal term, rarely used in modern English. It is most commonly encountered in historical texts or discussions of traditional tailoring and sewing practices.

Variants and Related Words

• Odd (adj): strange, unusual, or not matching.

  • He found an odd sock in the drawer. (A single sock without its pair.)

• Short (adj): of small length or duration.

  • The meeting was short. (It did not last long.)

• Oddment (n): a remnant or leftover piece, similar in meaning.

  • The shop sold oddments of fabric at a discount. (Small leftover pieces of material.)

Synonyms

• Remnant: a small remaining quantity of something.
• Scrap: a small piece or fragment, especially of cloth.
• Fragment: a broken or detached piece.
• Leftover: something that remains unused or unconsumed.

Phrasal Verbs

• None directly associated with "odd-come-short."

Related Idioms

• None directly associated with "odd-come-short."

Etymology Note

• The term "odd-come-short" likely originates from the combination of "odd" (meaning extra or surplus) and "short" (meaning a piece cut off), reflecting the idea of a leftover piece that is both an oddment and a short length.