I was caught short without any cash at the store.
caught short
idiomunprepared or without enough of something when it is needed
Origin
disputed originCompare French prendre de court.
The sudden rainstorm caught us short, as we had left our umbrellas in the car.
The company was caught short by the unexpected market crash, leaving them unable to meet their financial obligations to investors.
- 01
a day late and a dollar short
Too late and too feeble to achieve the desired effect.
- 02
a short drop and a sudden stop
A fall to one's death by hanging.
- 03
caught up
Involuntarily involved in a situation.
- 04
caught with one's pants down
Caught off guard, unprepared, or in an embarrassing situation.
- 05
dog that caught the car
A person who has unexpectedly attained an aspirational goal and is now unsure what to do with it.
- 06
dog who caught the tire
One who accomplishes a seemingly impossible feat, but does not know what to do next.
- 07
down to the short strokes
In the final steps or decisive phase of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.
- 08
draw the short straw
To be selected to do an undesirable task (by drawing the shortest straw or otherwise).