caught short
idiom
1
: not having enough of something
Make sure you stock up on supplies before you set out on your trip. Don't be caught short!
2
British, informal
: having a sudden urge to use the toilet
Examples of caught short in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Black Guelph captured the German Independence Award for best film and best acting honors for Graham Earley, who stars as Kanto, a small-time drug dealer caught short by a visit from his long-absent father, an abuse survivor.
—
Kevin Cassidy, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025
Jan Paul van Hecke gave Brighton an early lead, via an assist by Welbeck, from Valentin Barco’s corner, but they were caught short on the left side of the defence when Verdy counter-attacked to equalise through Yudai Kimura.
—Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 28 July 2024
Many developers, spurred by the pandemic to invest money in new self-storage facilities, have been caught short by this drop in demand.
—Martha C. White, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024
Or reforming military procurement so we’re not caught short of ammo again?
—John Seiler, Orange County Register, 23 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for caught short
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Kevin Cassidy, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025
Jan Paul van Hecke gave Brighton an early lead, via an assist by Welbeck, from Valentin Barco’s corner, but they were caught short on the left side of the defence when Verdy counter-attacked to equalise through Yudai Kimura.
—Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 28 July 2024
Many developers, spurred by the pandemic to invest money in new self-storage facilities, have been caught short by this drop in demand.
—Martha C. White, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024
Or reforming military procurement so we’re not caught short of ammo again?
—John Seiler, Orange County Register, 23 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for caught short
Cite this Entry
“Caught short.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caught%20short. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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