Terms for subject Cliche / convention containing be a

English	Russian
be a little short on	немного не хватать (о количестве: All you need to become a Snow Angel is a shovel and good health. The city currently has around 400 volunteers. “We’re a little short on volunteers in the Champlain and Marpole areas, but we can use volunteers across the city,” Lawrence said. (CityNews 1130) ART Vancouver)
be a major figure	занимать важное место (John Keats, one of the best-known English Romantic poets, was a major figure on the English literary scene. ART Vancouver)
be a top performer	находиться на вершине рейтинга (sankozh)
might be a long shot, but	вероятность невелика, но (попробую что-л. – напр., получить ответ на вопрос): Might be a long shot, but I woke up with intense hives over my body and am wondering if anyone else is having the same problem. I’ve never had this before, and haven’t used any new products or done anything differently lately, except going swimming at English Bay beach yesterday for the first time in a month. Is it possible the water wasn’t safe and they just hadn’t tested it yet? (Reddit) ART Vancouver)