up the creek

up the creek
   in severe difficulties
   The British army waterway, in which you might find yourself without a paddle, was shit creek, a vulgarism for the anus. Today most people who use the phrase figuratively are unaware of its provenance, and the association with sodomy:
    ... telling them that if they'd followed this far up shit creek it's a long way to walk back. {Private Eye, July 1981, with some choice mixing of metaphors)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • up the creek — adverb : in a difficult or perplexing position * * * up the creek or (vulgar) ● creek * * * up the creek (or up the creek without a paddle) informal : in a very difficult situation that you cannot get out of If you hadn t helped us, we would ve… …   Useful english dictionary

  • up the creek — • up the creek (without a paddle) • without a paddle in trouble She is up the creek now that she has lost her passport. Digest 22/2002 in a bad situation and unable to proceed; in an awkward position with no easy way out. Charles agreed to finish …   Idioms and examples

  • Up the Creek — can mean:* Up the Creek (1958 film) a British comedy film, directed by Val Guest. * Further Up the Creek (1958 film) a sequel film, also directed by Guest. * Up the Creek (1984 film) an American comedy film …   Wikipedia

  • up the creek — or[up the creek without a paddle] {adj. phr.}, {informal} In trouble or difficulty and unable to do anything about it; stuck. * /Father said that if the car ran out of gas in the middle of the desert, we would be up the creek without a paddle./ * …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • up the creek — or[up the creek without a paddle] {adj. phr.}, {informal} In trouble or difficulty and unable to do anything about it; stuck. * /Father said that if the car ran out of gas in the middle of the desert, we would be up the creek without a paddle./ * …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • up\ the\ creek — • up the creek (without a paddle) • without a paddle adj. phr. informal In trouble or difficulty and unable to do anything about it; stuck. Father said that if the car ran out of gas in the middle of the desert, we would be up the creek without a …   Словарь американских идиом

  • up the creek — If someone or something is up the creek, they are in real trouble. Up the creek without a paddle is an alternative, and up shit creek (without a paddle) is a ruder form …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • up the creek —    If someone or something is up the creek, they are in real trouble. Up the creek without a paddle is an alternative, and up shit creek (without a paddle) is a ruder form.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • Up the creek —   If someone or something is up the creek, they are in real trouble. Up the creek without a paddle is an alternative, and up shit creek (without a paddle) is a ruder form …   Dictionary of English idioms

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