caught short

caught short
{adj. phr.}, {informal} Not having enough of something when you need it. * /Mrs. Ford was caught short when the newspaper boy came for his money a day early./ * /The man was caught short of clothes when he had to go on a trip./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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  • caught short — phrasal 1. : taken unawares : found ill prepared, inadequately equipped, or poorly supplied he was caught short by the blunt question 2. : inopportunely seized with a need to relieve oneself * * * caught short (informal) Having a sudden,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • caught short — {adj. phr.}, {informal} Not having enough of something when you need it. * /Mrs. Ford was caught short when the newspaper boy came for his money a day early./ * /The man was caught short of clothes when he had to go on a trip./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • caught\ short — adj. phr. informal Not having enough of something when you need it. Mrs. Ford was caught short when the newspaper boy came for his money a day early. The man was caught short of clothes when he had to go on a trip …   Словарь американских идиом

  • 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 …   New idioms dictionary

  • caught short —    having an urgent desire in an inconvenient place to urinate or defecate Of both sexes, from the days when coaches or trains stopped at regular intervals but offered no lavatory accommodation between one stage or station and the next:     Well …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

  • caught short — not having enough of something when you need it (usually money) I was caught short last week and couldn t pay the weekly food bill …   Idioms and examples

  • caught short —  Caught at a disadvantage …   A concise dictionary of English slang

  • caught short — Synonyms and related words: ad lib, astonished, caught napping, caught off balance, extemporaneous, extemporized, haphazard, hasty, impromptu, improvised, makeshift, precipitate, rough and ready, snap, struck with surprise, surprised, taken aback …   Moby Thesaurus

  • be caught short — informal phrase british to feel an urgent need to go to the toilet Thesaurus: going to the toilethyponym Main entry: short * * * I see short …   Useful english dictionary

  • be caught short — 1. 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. to suddenly find you are not prepared for a situation, especially to be without money when you …   New idioms dictionary

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