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# vertically challenged

phrase (adjective phrase, «vertically challenged»)

«vertically challenged» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

(euphemism, humorous) short; not tall.

### In the lessons

A jokey mock-politically-correct phrase that copies serious terms like «physically challenged»; people use it to tease kindly or to joke about their own height. All English-speaking countries. Usually not meant seriously.

### Examples

- (joke) I'm vertically challenged, so can you reach the top shelf?
- (chat) vertically challenged gang can't see at concerts
- (sitcom) "He's short." "Vertically challenged, please."
- (sport) The vertically challenged goalkeeper still saved the penalty.
- (family) Grandma calls herself vertically challenged.
- (maths) At 140 cm, she is 25 cm shorter than her 165 cm brother.

### Note

Trap: it is a joke, not an official term. Teasing someone about height can hurt; using it about yourself is fine. Plain word: «short».