Caught short
adj, slang
adj, slang ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Adjective
- 1 Needing to use the toilet at a point where no toilet facilities are available. British, euphemistic, not-comparable
"Some clever person came up with the apt name of little John (or big John for the optimist) for a suitably shaped container for those who were caught short."
- 2 unprepared or without enough of something when it is needed idiomatic, informal, not-comparable
Example
More examples"Some clever person came up with the apt name of little John (or big John for the optimist) for a suitably shaped container for those who were caught short."
Etymology
Compare French prendre de court.