be caught short vs. be caught off guard

**greenisgood** · 21-Jul-2010, 03:15

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** · 21-Jul-2010, 23:03

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

**digitS'** · 22-Jul-2010, 01:23

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