not prepared for something.

Airlines were caught short of fuel because of the oil workers' strike.

Usage notes: often used when someone does not have enough money: The cash machines aren't working and I'm really caught short.

• lose in
• lose in something
• lose it
• lose its grip
• lose marbles
• lose mind
• lose nerve
• lose out
• lose out on
• lose out on something
• lose rag
• lose shirt
• lose sight of
• lose sight of something
• lose sleep
• lose sleep over
• lose sleep over someone
• lose sleep over something
• lose temper
• lose the plot
• lose the thread
• lose the thread of
• lose the thread of something
• lose time
• lose touch