Short of spirit (5)
I believe the answer is:
meths
'spirit' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for meths that I've seen before include "Fuel" , "Violet-coloured alcohol" , "Methylated spirits (colloq.)" , "Spirit" , "unsuitable alcohol" .)