be caught short

slang

1. To be unprepared for a certain situation, often one involving money. I was caught short at the restaurant, so I had to borrow money from my mom. Hey, can we go out next week instead? I've been caught short by some unexpected bills. I was caught short because I totally forgot that our deposits were due today.

2. To become pregnant when one is not married. I think that Heather has missed so much school because she's caught short. A: "I don't think she's caught short, I think she's just gained some weight." B: "Only in her stomach area?" Yes, I was caught short in high school, and I gave my baby up for adoption.

3. To have an urgent need to use the toilet. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I always use the toilet before a long drive, to avoid being caught short. It seems like my potty-training daughter is always caught short, much to my frustration. Please tell me there's a bathroom nearby because I'm about to be caught short after all that coffee!

be caught short

BRITISH, INFORMAL

If you are caught short, you feel a sudden strong need to urinate, especially when you cannot easily find a toilet. He came out of the nearby bathroom; he had obviously been caught short yet again.

be caught (or taken) short

1 be put at a disadvantage. 2 urgently need to urinate or defecate. British informal

be caught/taken ˈshort

(British English, informal) suddenly need to go to the toilet in a place where it is difficult to find one