The term 'make short of' can be summarized by the crossword solution 'SHRIFT, ' which is a six-letter word. SHRIFT is an archaic term that refers to a confession or absolution of sins, usually in a religious context. In more modern usage, it has come to mean a brief period of time or a shortened version of something. Therefore, the phrase 'make short of' can be interpreted as making something shorter or quicker than it would normally be.