down to the short rows
Almost finished with a hard job.
Also called gettin' down to short rows, in the short rows.
Updated September 21, 2026
down to the short rows pronunciation
/DOWN tuh thuh SHORT rowz/
Meaning
Farm talk for nearing the end of the work. On a funny-shaped field, the long rows come first and the short ones sit at the edge. Once you hit those short rows, you can see the finish. People use it for chores, meetings, sermons, or any grind that is finally wrapping up.
How folks use it
- “Hang on, we're down to the short rows on this fence job.”
- “Preacher said he was down to the short rows, then talked another twenty minutes.”
Origin and etymology
Straight from row-crop farm work in the South and South Midland. Irregular fields leave short rows at the edges, so finishing those meant the hoe or harvest was nearly done. The picture stuck as everyday talk for "almost there."
Frequently asked questions
Is it short rows or narrow rows?
Short rows. That is the farm version folks actually say.