Up the creek (without a paddle) In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "Up the creek (without a paddle)", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

Tommy Tran

2021-03-28 07:03

Meaning of Up the creek (without a paddle)

Synonyms:

On the Rocks , Down the tubes , in hot water , be up shit creek (without a paddle)

Up the creek (without a paddle) impolite informal slang

To be in a difficult situation without any possible solution

This morning I overslept and couldn't get to school on time for the final exam, so now I'm really up the creek without a paddle.

My bike just got robbed yesterday, I'm really up the creek right now.

Other phrases about:

To lower the boom (on someone or something)

To punish someone or something harshly

soften/cushion the blow

To make a difficult experience less serious; to make the situation better

drastic times call for drastic measures

When you experience extreme and undesirable situations, it is probably essential to take extreme actions

you can't unring a bell

Once something has been done, you can do nothing but face the consequences.

to ask for trouble

to behave in a way that is likely to incur problems or difficulties

Origin of Up the creek (without a paddle)

Stranded in a river. (Image Source: Freepik)

This phrase is a military slang from the 20th century. It refers to being lost, as in when on patrol, etc., like someone in a canoe being stranded in a river with no way to paddle.

The Origin Cited: