oneshortofagross
adjectiveUK /wʌn ʃɔːt əv ə ɡrəʊs/
US /wʌn ʃɔːrt əv ə ɡroʊs/
Being one short of a gross means you have 143 of something instead of 144.
The baker counted 143 cookies, so she was one short of a gross.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A playful way to say something is slightly incomplete or missing just one piece.
His puzzle was one short of a gross, missing a single piece.
3. Used jokingly to describe a group that is almost, but not quite, a full set of 144.
The choir had 143 singers, one short of a gross.
4. A humorous phrase for being just barely under a big round number.
The jar held 143 marbles, one short of a gross.