"Shy of" is a commonly used phrase which means slightly less than a particular amount or not quite reaching a certain level. There are several synonyms which can be used in place of this phrase, such as "just short of", "not quite", "nearly", and "almost". Other alternatives include "a hair's breadth away", "a whisker from", "a smidgen below", and "a tad less than". These synonyms can be used interchangeably in different contexts and situations to convey the same meaning as "shy of". It is always important to choose the word which best suits the tone and style of your writing or speech.