caught short

1. 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.

Example Sentences

England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek restored Milan's lead early in the second half as the Reds were again caught short at the back and Noah Okafor made it 3-1 with a brilliant finish beyond Liverpool's new Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

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Family friend Olive Brown says: "Every December I do have a wee sad moment, thinking he's not here. All that potential, enthusiasm and ability got caught short."

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"If you aren't aware of that, you could be caught short without the right gear," she said.

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We all get caught short sometimes, and for pregnant women, parents with children and people with certain medical conditions, it can be pretty often.

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She set up the popular TikTok account Loos of London, highlighting places for when you're caught short.

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