Definition

1. Noun:

   • An electrical fault: A "short circuit" is an unintended, low-resistance connection between two points in an electrical circuit that have different voltages. This bypasses the normal load and allows excessive current to flow, which can cause damage, overheating, or fire.

2. Verb (to short-circuit):

   • To cause an electrical fault: To create or experience a short circuit, causing an electrical failure.
   • To bypass or circumvent: To avoid a usual process, step, or obstacle in a quick or unintended way.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • A short circuit in the wiring caused the power outage.
  • The fire was traced back to a faulty short circuit.

• Verb:

  • Water can cause the system to short-circuit.
  • He short-circuited the approval process by going directly to the director.

Advanced Usage

• "to short-circuit something": To cause something to fail or stop prematurely by creating an unintended path or bypass.
  • The protest aimed to short-circuit the legislative debate.
• Figurative use: Describing a mental process that fails or jumps to a conclusion.
  • My brain seemed to short-circuit from information overload.

Variants and Related Words

• Short (verb, informal): A less formal variant meaning to cause a short circuit.
  • I think I shorted the outlet by plugging in too many devices.
• Short (noun, informal): An informal term for a short circuit.
  • There's a short in this lamp cord.

Synonyms

• Electrical fault (noun)
• Bypass (verb, for the figurative sense)
• Circumvent (verb, for the figurative sense)

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This term itself functions as a phrasal verb when used verbally as "to short-circuit.")

Related Idioms

• "To blow a fuse": While not identical, this idiom relates to an electrical overload or, figuratively, to lose one's temper, which is a similar concept of a system failing due to excess.

Noun

1. accidental contact between two points in an electric circuit that have a potential difference