(just) this side of (something)

almost but not quite the quality mentioned.

He was just this side of being bubbly when I spoke to him.

• stick in your gullet
• stick in your mind
• stick in your throat
• stick it out
• stick it to
• stick it to someone
• stick neck out
• stick nose into
• stick nose into something
• stick oar in
• stick out
• stick out a mile
• stick out like a sore thumb
• Sticks and stones may break my bones .
• Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.
• sticks in mind
• sticks in your mind
• stick someone with
• stick someone with someone
• stick someone with something
• Stick something up your arse!
• Stick that in your pipe and smoke it!
• stick the knife in
• stick-thin
• stick to