short circuit

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   An electrical fault where current flows along an unintended path, often causing sparks or damage.

   Grammar: Countable: a short circuit, the short circuit. Often written as two words.

   Patterns

   • cause a short circuit
   • a short circuit in something

   The fire was caused by a short circuit in the wiring.

   A short circuit can melt wires and start a fire.

   The lights went out because of a short circuit in the basement.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To bypass or disrupt the usual process or sequence, often to save time.

   Grammar: Takes an object: short-circuit the process. Often used with negotiations, plans, or procedures.

   Patterns

   • short-circuit something
   • short-circuit the process

   The manager tried to short-circuit the approval process.

   They short-circuited the negotiations by going directly to the CEO.

   Don't short-circuit the safety checks; they exist for a reason.

Word forms

Common combinations

cause a short circuit

Water can cause a short circuit in electrical equipment.

short circuit in the wiring

The electrician found a short circuit in the wiring behind the wall.

short-circuit the process

They tried to short-circuit the process by skipping the review stage.

short-circuit negotiations

The union accused the company of trying to short-circuit negotiations.

Synonyms and how they differ

fault

A fault is a general electrical problem; a short circuit is a specific type of fault where current takes a wrong path.

bypass

Bypass means to go around something, often a procedure; short-circuit as a verb is more forceful and suggests disrupting the normal order.

Word family

short-circuited adjective

Describing something that has had a short circuit or has been bypassed.

Commonly confused: short circuit or shortcut?

Practice

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