caught

caught in the act and caught red-handed

Fig. seen doing something illegal or private. (See also catch someone in the act (of doing something) and catch someone red-handed.) Tom was caught in the act and cannot deny what he did. Many car thieves are caught red-handed.

See also: act

caught in the crossfire 

1. Lit. trapped between two lines of enemy fire. I was caught in the crossfire and dove into a ditch to keep from getting killed.

2. and caught in the middle Fig. caught between two arguing people or groups, making it difficult to remain neutral. Bill and Ann were arguing, and poor Bobby, their son, was caught in the middle.

See also: crossfire

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: short

caught unaware(s)

surprised and unprepared. Sorry. You startled me when you came up behind me. I was caught unaware. The clerk was caught unawares, and the robber emptied out the cash register before the clerk could sound the alarm.

caught up in something and caught up with something

deeply involved with something; participating actively or closely in something. Wallace is caught up in his work and has little time for his son, Buxton.

See also: up

fall between two stools

Fig. to come somewhere between two possibilities and so fail to meet the requirements of either. The material is not suitable for an academic book or for a popular one. It falls between two stools. He tries to be both teacher and friend, but falls between two stools.

See also: fall, stool, two

would not be seen dead (doing something) and would not be caught dead (doing something)

would not do something under any circumstances. I wouldn't be seen dead going out with Bruno! Martha would not be caught dead going into a place like that.

See also: dead, seen

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be caught in the crossfire

to be badly affected by a situation where two people or groups are arguing with each other (often + of ) Unhappy children are often caught in the crossfire of arguing parents. (often + between ) She became caught in the crossfire between two bosses with different ideas about what her job involved.

See also: crossfire

be caught in the middle

to be in a difficult situation because two people who you know well are arguing and both of them criticize each other to you My mother and sister are always arguing and I find myself caught in the middle.

See also: middle

be caught napping

to not be ready to deal with something at the time when it happens Arsenal's defence was caught napping as Andrews chipped in a goal from the right.

See also: nap

be caught short 

1. (British & Australian informal) to have a sudden urgent need to go to the toilet You should go to the toilet before you leave. You don't want to be caught short on the journey.

2. (American & Australian informal) to suddenly find you are not prepared for a situation, especially to be without money when you need it I'm caught short. Can you you lend me some money so I can pay for my lunch?

See also: short

be caught with your pants/trousers down 

1. to be suddenly discovered doing something that you did not want other people to know about, especially having sex Apparently he was caught with his pants down. His wife came home to find him in bed with the neighbour.

2. to be asked to do or say something that you are not prepared for He asked me where I'd been the previous evening and I was caught with my trousers down.

See wouldn't be caught dead, fall between two stools

See also: pant

be like a deer/rabbit caught in the headlights

to be so frightened or surprised that you cannot move or think Each time they asked him a question he was like a deer caught in the headlights.

See also: like

fall between two stools  (mainly British) also be caught between two stools (mainly British)

if something falls between two stools, it fails because it is neither one type of thing nor another and if someone falls between two stools, they fail because they try to combine two different types of thing that cannot be combined For me, it fell between two stools, being neither romantic fiction nor serious literature. If you try to organize an event that will appeal to both young and old, you can end up caught between two stools.

See also: fall, stool, two

wouldn't be caught/seen dead  (informal)

if someone wouldn't be seen dead in a particular place or doing a particular thing, they would never do it, usually because it would be too embarrassing (often + adv/prep ) John's dad won't go to the christening, he wouldn't be seen dead in a church. (often + doing sth) Chris wouldn't be seen dead driving a Lada.

See cut dead, Drop dead!, knock them/'em dead

See also: dead

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(get) caught up in something

to become completely involved in something You get caught up in the excitement of the moment and don't think a lot about what happens next.

See also: up

somebody would not be caught dead

someone would never do or wear something I wouldn't be caught dead doing ads for that company. My father wouldn't have been caught dead in a white suit.

Etymology: based on the idea that something very bad would make even a dead person uncomfortable

See also: dead

caught in the crossfire

to be hurt by opposing groups in a disagreement caught in the middle As politicians and educators debate school funding, it's students who are caught in the crossfire.

Related vocabulary: in the cross hairs

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of caught in the crossfire (trapped between two groups that are shooting at each other)

See also: crossfire

caught in the middle

to experience the influence of opposing groups in a disagreement caught in the crossfire My mother and sister are always yelling at each other, and I find myself caught in the middle.

Related vocabulary: in the cross hairs

See also: middle

caught short

not prepared for something Airlines were caught short of fuel because of the oil workers' strike.

Usage notes: often used when someone does not have enough money: The cash machines aren't working and I'm really caught short.

See also: short

caught with your pants down

in a situation that embarrasses you My job was to get as much information as possible so that my boss would not be caught with her pants down.

Usage notes: often said about situations you are not prepared for

See also: pant