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3. up the creek

up the creek

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up the creek (without a paddle)

 and up a creek; up shit creek

Inf. Fig. in an awkward position with no easy way out. I'm sort of up the creek and don't know what to do. You are up a creek! You got yourself into it, so get yourself out.

See also: creek, up

up the creek (without a paddle)

also up a creek

in an extremely difficult situation All those people who have money invested in it are going to be up the creek.

Etymology: based on the idea of being in a small boat in a stream and not having a paddle (short pole with a wide, flat part) with which to move it

See also: creek, up

up the creek

Also, up shit creek. See up a creek.

See also: creek, up

up the creek

verb

See up shit creek without a paddle

See also: creek, up

up the creek (without a paddle)

Informal

In a difficult, unfortunate, or inextricable position.

See also: creek, up