English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
SHORT OF WORDS or LOST FOR WORDS?
This is fantastic; I’m ~short of words~ (nonstandard).
This is fantastic; *I’m lost for words* (standard).
If someone is lost for words, they cannot think of anything to say, especially because they are very surprised by something.
Note that to be “short of something” is also an idiom which means “not to have enough of it”:
I’m short of cash right now so I can’t help you. ✔️
She ran down here, feeling short of breath when she stopped. ✔️
GAB
