be caught short vs. be caught off guard

[greenisgood]

What is the difference between the two idioms:

1) He was caught off guard when the reporters asked him about economy.
2) He was caught short when the reporters asked him about economy.

 

[georgemartin22]

Re: be vs. be caught off guard

caught off guard:it means take (or be taken) by surprise and the other caught short , means : have nothing to say

 

[digitS']

A person caught short will have nothing to say because he or she is unprepared to respond.

Having been caught off guard may simply mean the question is a surprise and the person is finding it difficult to compose a response. A little time to think may be all that is needed.

A person caught short probably will not be able to answer the question because important knowledge is lacking.

Steve