Idioms

caught short

caught short

slang

1. 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. 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. Having an urgent need to use the toilet. I always go to the bathroom 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!

See also: caught, short

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

caught short

1. left without any money temporarily. I'm caught a little short. Can I borrow a few bucks?

2. pregnant and unmarried. Both of Jane's sisters got caught short before they graduated high school.

See also: caught, short

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

caught short

Found to be lacking something one needs, especially money, as in Can you pay the check? I seem to be caught short. This idiom uses short in the sense of "lacking money," a usage dating from the early 1500s.

See also: caught, short

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

See also:

References in periodicals archive

Commuters caught short at Aberdeen's train station will now have to spend 50p to use the toilet, while they have been made free in the Central Belt.

Price of spending penny at rail station rises to 50p; Transport: ScotRail backtracks on previous pledge to scrap toilet charges

DJ GREG James has admitted his most humilating moment ever was getting caught short on a train journey.

James comes clean on train toilet shame

Caught short by gains made by Airbus (EADSY), Boeing (BA) raced to update its workhorse 737 jet rather than design a new one, The New York Times reports.

Boeing rushed to beat Airbus with 737 Max, NY Times reports

Now the Wales prop plans to take off with the Six Nations title and ensure his Grand Slam ambitions are not caught short when Ireland arrive in Cardiff on Saturday.

tad nicked my kit says evans

Mohammed Zeb was caught short by The Albert pub after missing the bus back to Bradford.

Man spotted urinating in alley by mum and girl

Many drivers have been caught short while stuck in a traffic jam.

Dame Kelly Holmes caught short during six-hour M25 standstill - as she admits: "Sorry but I had to go!"; The Olympic champion was forced to squat after the M25 and Dartford Crossing in Kent were closed yesterday afternoon following a serious crash

ONE of Billy Connolly's greatest jokes was about incontinence pants that tied tightly at the ankles so the wearer could hit the disco and "care not a jot" if they got caught short.

Tightly strapped into a pair of the Big Yin's incontinence pants, Katy cares not a jot

Defence solicitor Robert Vickery said Fleming, who had been a drug user, was caught short and trapped in a lounge because of a problem with the lock.

Man urinated from upstairs window

Recently, it has issued its annual report titled 'Caught Short,' which reveals the world's worst places in terms of children's physical growth and cognitive development.

Being caught not a funny people have have young Ron Carter-Being caught short is not a funny matter if people have illnesses or have young children.

Charging for air we breathe next?

Newcastle were caught short in their Europa League campaign and they've been caught short again.

Newcastle United feedback: Overhaul needed for transfer policy? Andrew Fowler answers Newcastle United fans' questions on all things black and white as well as whether the recruitment policy needs an overhaul; Andrew Fowler answers Newcastle United fans' questions on all things black and white as well as whether the recruitment policy needs an overhaul

AMSTERDAM -- If you're caught short on Amsterdam's historic Dam Square, the Dutch government has a message for you: Don't pee on the palace.

Don't pee on the palace

Rules for players include no urinating in public, with a 100-rupee fine - about PS1 - for anyone caught short.

Wee are the champions! BANGALORE [...]; CONFIDENTIAL with DEAN JONES sport ..

It essentially becomes a wearable wallet, meaning if you forget your old fashioned leather alternative you won't be caught short when you head out the office for a power lunch.

Now, suit that also acts as your wallet

There are lots of fast food restaurants - if you're caught short, use their facilities.

Urinals are a big no no; .... FEATURES Thursday, October 3, 2013 40 Pete Price Name-dropper

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