He was two weeks 'shy of' his 19th birthday when he joined the army.
The ball stopped just a few inches 'shy of' the hole.
He's three credits 'shy of' his bachelor's degree.
(..) I'm frequently asked what special difficulties are involved in being graduated from high school two months shy of my th birthday I sometimes think the difficulties themselves enabled me to do it If I'd been appreciated, (..)1987 Broadcast News