taken short—
1. taken by surprise (being unprepared for smth.):
- They may have been taken short by the climate before reaching the Pacific.
2. said of a sudden need to go to the toilet:
- Simon was in such a terrible state of nerves that he had already been taken short twice.
taken up short—interrupted in one’s speech:
- The chairman was just beginning to explain his plan when he was taken up short by a loud whistle.