caught short

a day late and a dollar short

Too late and too feeble to achieve the desired effect.

a short drop and a sudden stop

A fall to one's death by hanging.

caught up

Involuntarily involved in a situation.

caught with one's pants down

Caught off guard, unprepared, or in an embarrassing situation.

dog that caught the car

A person who has unexpectedly attained an aspirational goal and is now unsure what to do with it.

dog who caught the tire

One who accomplishes a seemingly impossible feat, but does not know what to do next.

down to the short strokes

In the final steps or decisive phase of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.

draw the short straw

To be selected to do an undesirable task (by drawing the shortest straw or otherwise).