takes genitive case の, adjectival noun or quasi-adjective, noun

  1. a little too short.
  2. slightly worse, a bit inferior.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
 
寸足らず すんたらず

Contained Kanji Breakdown

measurement, tenth of a shaku, a little
スン す みき (6th, N1)
leg, foot, be sufficient
あし た.りる ソク (1st, N4)
mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)
stop, halt
と.まる シ どめ (2nd, N4)
divining, fortune-telling, divination or katakana to radical (no. 25)
ボク うらな.う うらない (Kentei Pre-1)