Английский словарь американских идиом - short-spoken

{adj.} Using so few words that you seem impatient or angry; speaking in a short impatient way; saying as little as possible in an unfriendly way. * /Jim is always short-spoken when he is tired./ * /We were hoping to borrow Dad's car, but he was so short-spoken when he came home that we were afraid to ask./