A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

taken short • taken up short
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 toi-
let: 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.
taken up with someone • taken with someone
taken up with someone —
1
. greatly attracted to a person:
Hasan made a feast for the four friends who were taken up
with him, and sent them away with handsome gifts. 2. (of an
issue, question, etc.) discussed with or addressed by a person:
All of these policies are sanctioned by Boris Yeltsin and need
to be taken up with him.
taken with someone — = taken up with someone
1
: For what-
ever reason, Emma was just absolutely taken with him! Today
was his second visit out here.
taken up with something • taken with something
taken up with something —
1
. busy or fully occupied with
smth.: She discouraged Hughie from following her, saying
vaguely that she would be taken up with the film festival. 2.
finding smth. such as a thought, idea, etc. interesting or attrac-
tive: In the Russian revolution, the Mensheviks were totally
taken up with the idea that the capitalist class should be
involved.
taken with something —
1
. = taken up with something 2: He
is especially taken with the idea of the North as a place of
repose, a place to gather thoughts. 2. seized with smth. such
as dizziness, a fit of sneezing, etc.: Mrs. Boffin was then taken
with a laughing fit of clapping her hands, and clapping her
knees.