up the creek

Examples

• All

• After losing the main client, the team realized they were up the creek.

• You've really put yourself up the creek, old buddy.

  10th & Wolf (2006)

• Yeah, we felt like we were pretty much up the creek if Ben didn't want to do this movie.

  Keeping the Faith (2000)

• Oh, terrific Rob, now you're really up the creek.

  The Dove (1974)

• They're really up the creek without a paddle.

  Blog text (33)

• They're up the creek because they bought new and therefore would suffer a massive loss from selling, so they hang on and hope for the best.

  Blog text (18)

• Their entire plan is based on compliance at all levels of the food chain they cannot guarantee; if one link in the chain breaks, they are up the creek without a paddle.

  Blog text (3)

• If we miss the last train, we'll be up the creek with no way to get home.

Synonyms

U

up against it

vsup the creek

• Informal

7 8.0

In a difficult situation with little time or help

describes general difficulty without the pressure or time urgency

U

up the river

vsup the creek

• Informal

6 8.5

In trouble and not able to fix the situation

is the general term for any such difficulty

I

in the soup

vsup the creek

• Archaic

4 9.3

In trouble because of a problem

is the neutral phrase for general difficulty rather than slang

U

up a tree

vsup the creek

• Informal

2 8.6

To be in a difficult situation with no easy way out

focuses on general trouble rather than helpless confusion

U

up to your neck

vsup the creek

• Informal

1 7.9

Very involved in a difficult situation with too much to do

is the general phrase that lacks the strong depth of involvement

U

up the creek without a paddle

vsup the creek

• Informal

1 9.9

A very bad situation with no way to fix it

is a general trouble phrase without implying no escape

U

up the river without a paddle

vsup the creek

• Informal

1 9.9

To be in a difficult situation with no way out

is a general trouble expression that does not insist on hopelessness

U

up to (one's) neck

vsup the creek

• Informal

6.8

Having too much work or too many problems to deal with

is milder, meaning trouble without intense deep involvement

K

knee-deep in the Big Muddy

vsup the creek

• Informal

9.9

Deeply stuck in a difficult situation that is hard to leave

is simply about trouble, not the risky deep entanglement

Antonyms

I

in the clear

• Informal

33 4.4

Not in danger, trouble, or under suspicion

How Difficult

dire straits

• Informal

11 7.4

up the creek

• Informal

3 9.4

in trouble

∞ 2.9

in the face of adversity

5 5.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology